MURPHY'S  ENLARGED  STEREOTYPE  EDITION. 
THE 

CHRISTIAN'S 

GUIDE  TO  HEAVEN; 

OR   A   MANUAL  OF 

Ipiritaal  (Bxmlsts 

FOR   CATHOLICS: 

WITH    THE 

(gncEing  (DfflrB  nf  tljB  d^ljtirrlj; 

IN  LATIN  AND  ENGLISH; 

WITH    A 

SELECTION   OF  PIOUS  HYMNS. 


PUBLISHED    WITH    THE 

Approbation  of  the  Most  Rev,  Archhishop  Eccleston, 


BALTIMORE: 
PRINTED  &  PUBLISHED  BY  J.  MURPHY  &  CO. 

No.  178  Market  street. 

PITTSBURG:    GEORGE    QCIGLEY, 
Sold  by  all  the  Catholic  Booksellers  in  the  United  States. 


PRIVATE    BAPTISM. 

Am,  persons,  whether  man,  woman,  or  child,  maj 
baptize  an  infant,  in  case  of  danger  of  death,  thus: 

Take  common  water,  pour  it  on  the  hoad  or  face  of 
the  child,  and  while  you  arc  pouring  it,  say  the  foilow- 
ing  words: 

"  I  baptize  thee,  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of 
the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost." 


GRACE     BEFORE     MEALH. 

BLrrss  us,  O  Lord!  and  these  thy  gift",  which  w« 
are  about  to  receive  from  thy  bounty;  tlirough  Christ 
our  Lord.    Amen. 

GRACE     AFTER     MEALS. 

We  cive  thee  thanks,  O  Ahnishty  God !  for  all  thy 
benofils,  who  livest  and  reignest,  world  without  end. 
Amen. 


■<  riN  MURPHY.  Printer 


A     TABLE 


3'x 


MOVEABLE    FEASTS 


!i 


fl&16 
rl847 
C\4l848 
X.1849 
1850 
,;1851 
1852 
1853 
,1854 
1855 
C*  il856 
Xl857 
1858 
il  1859 
3  1860 
^^1861 
^^1862 
1863 
UL.1864 
0186; 


1^'  -si 

1^    "^1 


1807 
1868 
186 
187 

1871  A 

1872  GF 

1873  E 
1874,  D 


21  Feb 
5  Feb 
15  Feb 

17  Feb 

8  Mar 
21  Feb 
13  Feb 

5  Mar 
25  Feb 

9  Feb 
1  Mar 

21  Feb 
Feb 

25  Feb 
17  Feb 

9  Mar 

22  Feb 

13  Feb 

5  Mar 
,18  Feb 
10  Feb 

1  Mar 

14  Feb 

6  Mar 

26  Feb 
10  Feb 

2  Mar 
K  Feb 
13  Feb 
26 
18 


Feb 


Feb 


11 


7  Apr 
23  Mar 
12  Apr 

4  Apr 
23  Apr 

8  Apr 
31  Mar 


16  May 
1  May 

21  May 
13  May 
1  Jun 

17  May 
Ma\ 


20  Apr  29  May 


11  Apr 
27  Mar 
16  Apr 

8  Apr 

23  Mar 

12  Apr 

4  Apr 

24  Apr 
8  Apr 

31  Mar 
20  Apr 

5  Apr 
27  Mar 


•^^ 


2Q  Mav 
5  May 

25  May 

17  May 
IMav 

21  Mav 

13  May 
2  Jun 

17  May 
9  May 
29  May 

14  Mav 
5  May 


16  Apr  25  Mav 

1  Apr  10  May 

21  Apr  30  May 


31  Ma\ 
23  May 
11  Jun 
27  May 
19  Mav 

8  Jun 
30  Mav 
15  May 

4  Jun 
27  Mav 

11  May- 
Si  Mav 

23  May 

12  Jun 
27  Mav 

19  Mav 

8  Jun 

24  Mav 
15  May 

4  Jun 

20  Ma' 

9  Juii 


as 


26  Mav   6  Jun 
llMaV21  Mav 
■  11  Jun 
3  Jun 
IS  Jun 
7  Jun 
30  Ma\ 
19  Jun 

10  Jun 
26  May 
15  Jun 

7  Jun 
•:S  Ma\ 

11  Jun 

3  Jun 
23  Jun 

Jun 
30  May 

19  Jun 

4  Jun 
26  3Iay 
15  Jun 

;'  31  Mav 

20  Jun 


30 


12  Apr  21  Mav  31  May  11  Jun 
28  Mar  6  May  16  May[27  May 
17  Apr  26  Mav  5  Jun  16  Juii 

9  Apr  18  May  28  May  8  Jun 
31  Mar  9  Mav  19  Mav  30  May 

13  Apr 22  Mav  1  Jun  1 12  Jun 
,  5  Apr|l4  Ma\i21  Mayl  4  Jun 




1  Dec 

Nov 

29  Nov 
18  Nov 

3  Dec 

2  Dec 

1  Dec 

30  Nov 

28  Nov 

27  Nov 

3  Dec 

2  Dec 
30  Nov 

29  Nov 

28  Nov 
27  Nov 

2  Dec 

1  Dec 

30  Nov 

29  Nov 

27  Nov 

3  Dec 

2  Dec 
1  Dec 

29  Nov 

28  Nov 
27  Nov 

3  Dec 
1  Dec 

30  Nov 

29  Nov 


1253>¥TO 


FEASTS,    FASTS.    &c. 


HOLY  DAYS, 

On  which  there  is  a  strict  obligation  to  h?ar  Mciss,  and 

to  refrain  from  all  servile  tvorks. 


All  Sundays  in  the  year. 
Feast  of  the  Circumcision 

of  our  Lord,  1st  Jan. 
The  Epiphany,  6th  Jan. 
The  Annunciation,  aotli  of 

March. 
Ascension  of  our  Lord. 


Corpus  Christi. 

Assumption  of  B.  V.  M 
15th  Aujiust. 

Feast  of  All  Saints,  1st  ol 
November. 

Nativity  of  our  Lord  Je- 
sus Christ,  25tli  Dec. 


FASTING  Days 


All  the  days  in  Lent,  ex- 
cept Sundays. 

The  Eve  of  VVhitsuntide. 

The  Quarter- Tenses,  or 
Ember  days,  beinj;  the 
Wednesdays,  Fridays, 
Saturdays  next  after  the 
first  Sunday  of  Lent,  af- 

DAYS  OF  ABSTINENCE 

All  the  Sundays  in  Lent, 
except  when  the  use  of 
meat  is  allowed  by  the 
archbishop  or  bishop  of 
tlie  diocess. 

All  the  Fridays  tlirough- 
out  the  year. 

Wlion  Christmas  falls  on 
Friday,  the  precept  of 


ter  Whit  Sunday,  after 
September  14th,  and  af- 
ter Docenibcr  KJth. 

Tlie  Eves  of  the  Assump- 
tion of  tlie  15.  V.  Mary, 
of  All  Saints,  and  of 
Christmas  day. 

The  Fridays  in  Advent. 

FROM  FLESH  MEAT, 
abstinence  is  not  bind- 
ing on  that  day. 

Tlie  abstinence  on  Satur- 
day is  disi>pnsed  with, 
for  the  faithful  throujrh- 
outthe  U.  Stales,  for  the 
space  of  20  years  (from 
1840),  excei)t  when  a 
fast  falls  on  Saturday. 


THE    TEN    COMMANDMENTS. 

1.  I  AM  the  Lord  thy  God,  who  brouaht  thee  out  of 

the  land  of  F-u'ypt,  out  of  the  house  of  bondaire.    Tliou 

Bhalt  not  hav<!  strange  gods  before  me.     'J'hou  shalt 

Dot  make  to  thyself  a  graven  Uung,  nor  Uie  likenesa 


of  any  thing  that  is  in  heaven  above,  or  in  the  earth 
beneath,  nor  oi  tliose  tilings  that  are  in  the  waters  un- 
der the  eartl).  Thou  shall  not  adore  tliem,  nor  serva 
Uiem. 

•2.  Thou  Shalt  not  take  the  name  of  the  Lord  thy 
God  in  vain. 

3.  Remember  that  thou  keep  holy  the  Sabbath  day. 

4.  Honor  thy  father  and  tliy  mother. 

5.  Thou  Shalt  not  kill. 

6.  Thou  Shalt  not  commit  adultery. 

7.  Thou  Shalt  not  steal. 

8.  Thou  shalt  not  bear  false  witness  against  th> 
neighbor. 

9.  Thou  shalt  not  covet  thy  neighbor's  wife. 

10.  Thou  shalt  not  covet  tliy  neighbor's  goods. 


COMMANDMENTS    OF    THE    CHURCH. 

1.  The  Catholic  church  commands  her  children,  on 
Sundays  and  holidays  of  obligation,  to  be  present  at 
the  holy  sacrifice  of  mass,  to  rest  from  servile  work 
on  those  days,  and  to  keep  them  holy. 

2.  She  commands  them  to  abstain  from  flesh  on  all 
days  of  fasting  and  abstinence ;  and  on  fast  days  to 
eat  but  one  meal. 

3.  She  commands  them  to  confess  their  sins  tothei* 
pastor  at  least  once  a  year. 

4.  She  commands  them  to  receive  the  blessed  sac- 
rament at  least  once  a  year,  and  that  at  Easter  or  du 
ring  the  paschal  time,  which  begins  on  the  first  Sun 
day  of  Lent,  and  ends  on  Trinity  Sunday  inclusively. 

5.  To  contribute  to  the  support  of  our  pastors. 

6.  Not  to  marry  within  the  fourth  degree  of  kin 
dred,  nor  privately  without  witnesses ;  nor  to  solem 
nize  marriage  at  certain  prohibited  times. 


A.N  EXPLANATION  OF  THE  ORNAMENTS  AND  CEREMO 
NIES  THAT  ARE  USED  IN  THE  HOLY  SACRIFICE  0* 
THE    MASS. 

All  the  visible  rites  employed  in  and  about  the 
sacrifice  of  the  mass  tend  td  instruction,  and  to  the 
commemoration  of  the  death  and  passion  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  in  compliance  witli  his  own  command. 


VI 

«*  Do  this  in  remembrance  of  m^,"  1  Cor.  xi,  24  ;  that 
Is,  do  this  in  memory  of  my  passion.  This  is  plainly 
to  be  observed  in  the  altar  and  its  ornaments,  as  like- 
wise in  tlie  garments  witli  which  the  priest  is  invest- 
ed, viz. 

The  Altar  signifies  Mount  Calvary,  whereon  Jesus 
Christ  (tlie  only  Son  of  God,  and  second  person  of  the 
most  blessed  'i'rinity,  our  Redeemer)  was  crucified 
upon  a  reproaclilul  cross :  whieli  very  woid  altar 
hatii  relation  to  sacrifice,  which  must  necessarily  be 
ollered  to  God  in  that  church  where  his  true  faith  is 
professed ;  and  therefore  this  name  of  altar  is  men- 
tioned by  St.  Paul,  Ileb.  xiii,  10  :  "  We  have  an  alur 
whereof  they  have  no  right  to  eat  who  serve  the  ta- 
bernacle:" and  1  Cor.  ix,  3,  as  it  is  likewise  in  St. 
Matt.  V,  24.  All  which  is  sufticient  warrant  for  us  to 
use  the  name  of  altar,  which  also  represents  the  table 
whereon  our  Saviour  did  celebrate  his  last  supper 
with  his  disciples  the  night  before  he  sulTercd. 

The  Corporal  and  Linen  Cloths  that  cover  the  altar 
do  signify  the  linen  cloth  that  wrapped  the  sacred 
body  of  Christ  when  he  was  laid  in  tlie  sepulchre. 

The  Candles  lighted  on  the  altar  signify  the  light  of 
faith  revealed  to  the  Jews  and  gentiles  ;  and  they  ad- 
vertise us  of  tlie  great  splendor  both  of  faith  and  of 
good  life  and  works,  required  in  the  celebration  of  so 
high  and  dreadful  a  mystery. 

The  Crucifix  betokens  our  blessed  Redeemer's  vie 
tory  over  death,  and  is  placed  in  the  midst  of  the  altar 
to  represent  to  our  mind  the  death  and  passion  of  Je- 
sus Christ,  which  is  there  chiefly  to  be  considered 
and  piously  meditated  on  in  th<at  holy  sacrifice. 

The  Chalice  betokens  the  holy  sepulclire  of  our 
Lord. 

The  Paten,  the  great  stone  which  was  rolled  against 
the  door  of  the  same  sepulchre. 


THE   GARMENTS    WHEREWITH   THE   PRIEST   IS  VESTKB 
DURING    THE    TIME    OF    MASS. 

The  Amice,  a  linen  cloth  which  the  priest  pulli 
over  his  head,  and  fastens  on  his  neck,  signifies  the 
rag  of  linen  wlierewith  the  Jews  blindfolded  Christ 
our  Saviour  in  mockery,  when  tliey  smote  and  buf- 


vu 

ftted  him,  sajing,  "  Prophesy  unto  us,  O  Christ,  who 
is  he  that  struck  Uiee  ?"    Matt,  xxvi,  68. 

The  Alb  (that  is,  a  white  linen  garment)  does  repre- 
sent the  garment  which  Herod  put  on  Clni^t  alter  he 
had  despised  and  mocked  him.    Luke  xxiii. 

The  Maniple  that  the  priest  weareth  on  his  left 
ami,  and  the  Stole  that  hangeth  about  his  neck,  and 
the  Girdle,  do  figure  the  cords  and  fetters  with  which 
the  ofiicers  of  the  Jews  bound  Christ,  and  led  hira 
from  one  place  to  another.    John  xviii. 

The  Chasuble  (that  is,  tlic  upper  garmen-t)  doth  ex 
press  the  purple  garment  the  soldiers  put  on  Jesus 
Christ,  Malt,  xv,  and  the  heavy  cross  also  that  Christ 
carried  on  his  blessed  shoulders  to  Mount  Calvary. 

The  priest's  Tonsure  (that  is  to  say,  tlie  crown  of 
his  head  shaved  in  the  fashion  of  a  round  circle)  doth 
represent  the  crown  of  thorns  which  the  soldiers 
plaited,  and  put  about  tlie  sacred  head  of  our  Sa- 
viour.   Mark  xv. 

AN    EXPLANATION    OF    THE    COLORS    USED    BY    THB^ 
CHURCH    AT    DIVINE    SERVICE. 

White  is  used  on  the  feasts  of  our  Lord,  of  the 
Blessed  Virgin,  and  of  ail  such  saints  as  are  not  mar- 
tyrs. 

Red  is  used  at  Whitsuntide,  on  the  invention  and 
exaltation  of  tlie  Cross,  and  on  tlie  feasts  of  tlie  apos- 
tles and  martyrs. 

Purjde  or'  Violet,  the  penitential  color,  is  used  ou 
all  the  Sundays  and  Ferias  of  Advent,  in  the  peniten- 
tial time  from  Septuagesima  till  Easter ;  and  on  Vi- 
gils, Ember  and  Rogation  days,  when  the  Office  ia 
of  them. 

The  Green  is  used  on  all  Sundays  a;id  Ferias  from 
Trinity  Sunday  to  Advent,  exclusively,  and  from  the 
Octave  of  the  Epiphany  to  Septuas(!s-ima,  exciu?ively, 
whenever  tiie  office  is  of  tlie  Sunday ;  but  in  the  pas- 
chal time  White  is  used. 

The  Black  is  used  on  Good  Friday,  and  in  Masses 
for  the  dead,  which  may  be  said  on  any  day  which  is 
not  a  Sunday  or  a  double,  except  from  Palm  Sunday 
to  Low  Sunday,  and  during  the  Octaves  of  the  Epiph 
^ly,  Pentecost,  aiid  Corpus  Ciiristi. 


VllI 


ON  THE  SIGN  OF  THE  CROSS. 
This  sign  is  prescribed  in  our  Rituals  to  be  fre- 
quently used,  particularly  in  the  administration  of 
baptism,  and  in  the  sacrifice  of  the  altar,  to  sijinify 
that  all  grace  is  derived  from  the  passion  of  Christ. 
The  cross,  besides,  is  marked  on  all  parts  of  the  dress 
of  our  ministers,  and  on  the  vessels  appropriated  to 
the  service,  to  denote  their  destination.  On  the  al 
tar  is  raised  a  cross,  with  the  figure  of  Christ  on  it, 
to  bring  to  our  minds  that  it  was  he  who  died  for 
the  sins  of  the  world,  and  that  there  is  no  other  namt 
under  he.sven  whereby  we  must  be  saved.  Finally,  we 
ofton  sign  ourselves  with  the  sign  of  the  cross,  pro- 
nouncing the  words,  Inthe  nnine  of  the  Father,  and  of 
the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost ;  thereby  attesting  our 
belief  ill  the  lilessed  'J'rini  ty,  and  in  tlie  incarnation 
and  death  of  our  Saviour. 


HOLY    OR.    BLESSED    WATER, 

From  the  history  of  the  earliest  .ages  of  the  church, 
we  are  informed  that  it  was  the  prao«ice  to  bless  ail 
inanimate  things  destined  for  the  use  of  man,  and  par- 
ticularly such  as  were  used  in  the  services  of  religioiu 
Thus  a  blessing  was  pronounced  over  the  water  and 
oil  used  in  the  administration  of  the  sacramenta. 
Besides  this,  water,  mixed  with  salt  that  had  been 
blessed,  was  placed  at  the  p-^rch  of  churches,  with 
which  the  faithful  washed  their  hands  and  signed 
their  foreheads  as  they  entered,  and  with  tlie  same 
water  they  and  other  things  were  often  sprinkled  by 
the  minister.  Of  this  ancient  practice  much  still  re- 
mains in  the  Catholic  church,  influenced  as  she  is  by 
tlie  religious  motives  which,  in  this  and  other  con? 
cerns,  actuated  the  founders  of  her  discipline  ;  and 
laudably  tenacious  as  she  ever  must  be  of  antiquity. 
Salt,  mingled  with  water,  is  deemed  the  emblem  of 
prudence  and  incorrnption  ;  and  the  water  denotes 
purity  and  innocence  of  heart ;  while  he  that  entera 
the  place  of  worship,  and  ajjphes  it,  witn  the  sign  of 
the  cross,  to  his  fonihead,  is  admonished  by  the  ac- 
tion that  with  cleanliness  of  heart  and  hand  he  should 
ippear  in  the  presence  of  his  Maker. 


ix 


INDULGENCES  EXPLAINED. 
An  Indulgence  is  not  a  leave  to  commit  a  sin,  nor» 
Oardon  of  future  sins,  nor  indeed,  properly  speaking, 
my  pardon  of  sin  at  all ;  but  it  is  only  a  remission  of 
'Jae  whole  or  of  a  part  of  the  temporal  punishment 
that  often  lemains  to  be  suffered  for  sins,  which,  as 
lo  their  guilt  and  eternal  punishment,  have  been  al- 
ready remitted. 

For  the  validity  and  effect  of  an  indulgence,  it  is 
not  only  necessary  that  there  be  a  competent  author- 
Uy  in  iiim  who  grants  it,  and  a  just  cause  or  motive 
for  the  grant;  but  it  is  also  necessary-,  on  the  part  of 
him  wiio  obtains  it,  that  he  renounce  and  be  sincerely 
Borry  for  all  his  sins,  tliat  he  be  in  the  state  of  grace, 
and  tiiat  he  duly  perform  all  the  conditions  prescribed. 
Hence  inriuliences,  so  far  from  withdrawing  sin- 
ners from  performing  good  works,  serve  to  excite  and 
encourage  them  to  greater  fervor  in  the  praclice  of 
tliem.  They  who  apply  for  the  benefit  of  indulgence 
must  do  it  with  a  penitential  spirit,  with  a  sense  of 
tlie  great  debts  of  punishment  they  have  contracted 
by  their  sins,  and  with  earnest  petitions  to  be  dis- 
charged from  it  throush  the  merits  and  satisfactions 
of  Christ,  by  the  power  of  the  keys  which  he  bas 
committed  to  his  church.  If  this  debt  be  not  paid  by 
penif^ntial  suffrrings,  or  graciously  remitted  by  in- 
dulgences in  this  life,  it  will,  after  death,  retard  the 
entrance  of  a  soul  into  the  kingdom  of  heaven,  untfl 
the  last  farthing  be  paid  in  the  prison  of  purgatory. 

Of  indulgences  some  are  called  plenary,  which, 
when  fully  obtained,  remit  the  whole  debt  of  tempo- 
ral punislnnent  that  remained  due  on  account  of  past 
sins  ;  others  are  of  a  certain  number  of  years  or  days, 
Which,  when  fully  obtained,  remit  so  much  of  the 
debt  of  temporal  punishment  as  would  have  been  dis- 
charged by  the  performance  of  so  many  years  or  dayi 
oi' canonical  penance. 


PLENARY  INDULGENCES. 

Granted  to  the  Faithfnl  tkrous;hout  tJitse 
States,  at  the  following  times. 

I.  On  Christmas  day,  and  the  twelve 
days  follo^ring,  to  the  day  of  Epiphany, 
inclusively. 

II.  In  the  first  week  in  Lent,  beginning 
with  the  first  Sunday,  and  ending  with 
the  second  Sunday,  inclusively. 

III.  At  Easter,  i.  e.  from  Palm  Sunday, 
inclusively,  to  Low  Sunday,  inclusively. 

IV.  From  Whitsunday  to  the  end  of  the 
octave  of  Corpus  Christi. 

V.  On  the  feast  of  St.  Peter  and  St. 
Paul,  during  the  octave, 

VI.  On  the  feast  of  the  Assumption  of 
the  blessed  Virgin  Mary,  and  during  the 
octave. 

VII.  On  the  Sunday  preceding  the  fast 
of  St.  Michael,  and  during  the  octave,  un- 
less St.  Michael  fall  on  a  Sunday ;  in 
which  case  it  begins  on  that  day. 

VIII.  On  All  Saints'  day,  and  daring 
the  octave. 

IX.  Once  every  month,  on  any  day 
which  each  of  the  faithful  shall  choose, 
as  best  suits  himself. 

!Z7te  conditions  of  tlw.  first,  third,  sixth,  and 
seventh  are, 
1.  To  confess  their  sins,  with  a  sincere 
10 


s. 


PLENARY    INDULGENCES.  1] 

repentance,  to  a  priest  approved  by  the 
Bishop. 

2.  Devoutly  and  worthily  to  receive  the 
holy  communion. 

3.  To  visit  some  chapel  or  oratory, 
where  Mass  is  celebrated,  and  there  offer 
op  their  prayers,  for  the  peace  and  wel- 
fare of  God's  church. 

4.  That  they  be  in  a  disposition,  if  their 
circumstances  allow  it,  to  assist  the  poor 
with  alm.s  in  proportion  to  their  abihties ; 
or  to  frequent  catechisms  or  sermons  ;  or 
lo  visit  and  comfort  the  sick  and  such  as 
are  near  their  end,  if  they  have  the  op- 
portunity. 

JVote.  It  is  not  required,  for  the  staining 
these  indulgences,  that  those  works  of 
mercy,  corporal  or  spiritual,  or  this  assist- 
ing at  catechisms  or  sermons,  be  done  on 
the  same  day  with  the  communion;  but 
that  persons  be  then  in  a  disposition  or 
readiness  of  mind  to  do  those  things,  or 
some  of  them  at  least,  when  opportunity 
shall  offer. 

Tlie  conditions  of  the  second,  fourth,  and 
eight  a/re, 

1.  To  confess  their  sins,  with  a  sincere 
repentance,  to  a  priest,  approved  by  the 
ashop. 


12  A    PROFESSION,  ETC. 

2.  Devoutly  and  worthily  to  rece've  the 
holy  communion. 

3.  If  their  condition  will  allow  it,  to 
give  some  alms  to  the  poor,  either  on  th^ 
eve  or  the  day  of  their  communion. 

4.  On  the  day  of  their  communion,  to 
offer  up  some  prayers  to  God,  for  the 
whole  state  of  the  Catholic  church 
throughout  the  world;  for  the  bringing 
all  straying  souls  to  the  fold  of  Christ;  for 
the  general  peace  of  Christendom ;  and 
for  the  blessing  of  God  upon  these  states. 

Tlie  conditions  of  the  fifth  and  ninth  are^ 

1.  To  confess  their  sins,  with-a  sincere 
lepentance,  to  a  priest,  approved  by  the 
bishop. 

2.  Devoutly  and  worthily  to  receive  the 
holy  communion. 

3.  To  pray  to  God,  with  a  sincere  heart, 
for  the  conversion  of  unbelievers,  and  fot 
the  free  propagation  of  the  holy  faith  of 
Christ. 


A  PROFESSION  OF  CATHOLIC  FAITH. 

I,  JV*.  JV.,  with  a  firm  faith,  believe  and 
profess  all  and  every  one  of  these  things, 
which  are  contained  in  that  Creed,  which 


A    I'ROFESSION,  ETC.  13 

the  Holy  Roman  Church  maketh  use  of; 
to  wit :  1  believe  in  one  God,  the  FatJier 
Almighty,  Maker  of  heaven  and  earth, 
of  all  things  visible  and  invisible;  and 
in  one  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the  only  be- 
gotten Son  of  God,  and  born  of  the  Fa- 
ther before  all  ages ;  God  of  God ;  light  of 
light;  true  God  of  true  God;  begotten, 
not  made;  consubstantial  to  the  Father, 
by  whom  all  things  were  made.  Who, 
for  us  men,  and  for  our  salvation,  came 
down  from  heaven,  and  was  incarnate  by 
tlie  Holy  Ghost,  of  the  Virgin  Mary,  and 
was  made  man.  Was  crucified  also  for 
us,  under  Pontius  Pilate;  he  suffered  and 
was  buried  :  and  the  third  day  he  rose 
again,  according  to  the  Scriptures  :  He 
ascended  into  heaven ;  sits  at  the  right 
hand  of  the  father ;  and  is  to  come  again 
with  glory  to  judge  the  living  and  the 
dead ;  of  whose  kingdom  there  sliall  be  no 
end.  And  in  the  Holy  Ghost,  the  Lord 
and  life-giver,  who  proceeds  from  the  Fa- 
ther and  the  Son,  who,  together  with  the 
Father  and  the  Son,  is  adored  and  glori- 
fied, who  spoke  by  the  Prophets.  And  (I 
beheve)  One,  Holy,  Catholic,  and  Apos- 
tolic Church :  I  confess  one  baptism  for 
the  remission  of  sins :  and  I  expect  the 
resurrection  of  the  dead,  and  the  life  of 
the  world  to  come.    Jlnien. 


14  A    PROFESSION,  ETC. 

I  most  steadfastly  admit  and  embrace 
apostolical  and  ecclesiastical  Traditions, 
and  all  other  observances  and  constitu- 
tions of  the  Church. 

I  also  admit  the  holy  Scriptures  accord- 
ing to  that  sense,  which  our  holy  Mother, 
the  Church,  has  held,  and  does  hold,  to 
which  it  belongs  to  judg;e  of  the  true  sense 
and  interpretations  of  the  Scriptures. 
Neither  will  I  ever  take  and  interpret  them 
otherwise  than  according  to  the  unani  , 
mous  consent  of  the  Fatiiers. 

I  also  profess,  that  there  are  truly  and 
properly  Seven  Sacraments  of  the  New 
Law,  instituted  by  Jesus  Chnst  our  Lord, 
and  necessary  for  the  salvation  of  man- 
kind ;  though  not  all,  for  every  one :  to 
wit,  Bapthm,  Confirmation,  EucJiarist, 
Penance,  Extreme  Unction,  Order,  and 
Matrimony;  and  that  they  confer  grace : 
and  that  of  these.  Baptism,  Confirmation, 
and  Order,  cannot  be  reiterated  without 
sacrilege.  I  also  receive  and  admit  the 
received  and  approved  Ceremonies  of  the 
Catholic  Church,  in  the  solemn  adminis- 
tration of  the  aforesaid  Sacraments. 

I  embrace  and  receive  all  and  every 
one  of  the  things  which  have  been  de- 
fined and  declared  in  the  holy  council  of 
Trenty  concerning  Original  Sin  and  Justi 
Jicalion. 


A    PROFESSION,  ETC.  15 

I  profess  likewise,  that  in  the  Mass 
there  is  offered  to  God  a  true,  proper,  and 
propitiatory  sacrifice  for  the  living  and 
the  dead.  And  that  in  the  most  Iwly  Sa- 
crament  of  tJie  Eucharist,  there  is  truly, 
really,  and  substantially,  the  Body  and 
Blood,  together  with  the  Soul  and  Divinity 
of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ :  and  that  there 
is  made  a  conversion  of  the  whole  sub- 
stance of  the  bread  into  the  body,  and  of 
the  whole  substance  of  the  wine  into  the 
blood;  which  conversion  the  Catholic 
Church  calls  Th-ansiibstantiation.  I  also 
confess,  that  under  eilher  /emd  alone  Christ 
is  received  whole  and  entire,  and  a  true 
sacrament. 

I  constantly  hold  that  there  is  a  Purga- 
tory, and  that  the  souls  therein  detained 
are  helped  by  the  suffrages  of  the  faithful. 

Likewise  that  the  Saints,  reigning  to- 
gether with  Christ,  are  to  be  honoured  and 
invocated,  and  that  they  offer  prayers  to 
God  for  us,  and  that  their  relics  are  to  be 
respected. 

I  most  firmly  assert,  that  the  Imas:es  of 
Christ,  of  the  Mother  of  God,  ever  Virgin, 
and  also  of  the  Saints,  may  be  had  and 
retained,  and  that  due  honour  and  vene- 
ration is  to  be  given  them. 

I  also  affirm,  that  the  power  of  Indid- 
gences  was  left  by  Christ  in  the  Church, 


16  TECLARATION    OF    FAITH. 

and  that  the  use  of  them  is  most  whote 
some  to  Christian  people. 

I  acknowledge  the  Holy  Catholic  ^.Ipos 
tolic  Roman  Church,  for  the  Mother  and 
Mistress  of  ail  Churches ;  and  I  promise 
true  obedience  to  the  Bislwp  of  Rome,  suo 
cessor  to  St.  Peter,  Prince  of  the  Apos 
ties,  and  Vicar  of  Jesus  Christ. 

I  likewise  undoubtedly  receive  and  pro 
fess  all  other  things  delivered,  defined,  anfl 
declared  by  the  sacred  Canons,  and  gene- 
ral Councils,  and  particularly  by  the  holy 
Council  of  Ti'CJit. 

And  I  condemn,  reject,  and  anathema- 
tize all  things  contrary  thereto,  and  all 
heresies  whatsoever,  condemned,  rejected 
and  anathematized  by  the  Church. 

This  true  Catholic  faith,  without  which 
no  one  can  be  saved,  I,  JV.  JV.,  do  at  this 
present  freely  confess  and  sinceroly  hold, 
and  I  promise,  vow  and  swear,  most  con- 
stantly to  retain,  and  confess  the  same 
entire  and  unviolated,  with  God's  assist- 
ance, to  the  end  of  my  life.    *^men. 

A  DECLARATION  OF  FAITH, 

COMMONLY  CALLED  THE  CREED  OF  bT. 
ATHANASIUS. 

Quicumque  vult. 
Whosoever  will  be  saved,  before  all 


I)ECI-AR\TION    OF    FAITH.  17 

Amgs  It  is  necessary  that  he   hold  the 
Calhohc  faith. 

Which  faith,  except  every  one  doth 
keep  entire  and  inviolate,  without  doubt 
he  shall  perish  everlastingly. 

Now  the  CathoHc  faith  is  this  :  that  we 
worship  one  God  in  Trinity,  and  Trinity 
in  Unity, 

Neither  confounding  the  persons,  nor 
dividing  the  substance. 

For  one  is  the  person  of  the  Father, 
another  of  the  Son,  another  of  the  Holy 
Ghost. 

But  the  Godhead  of  the  Father,  and  of 
the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  is  all 
one,  the  glory  equal,  and  the  majesty  co- 
eternal. 

Such  as  the  Father  is,  such  is  the  Son, 
and  such  is  the  Holy  Ghost. 

The  Father  is  uncreated,  the  Son  is 
uncreated,  and  the  Holy  Ghost  is  uncre 
ated. 

The  Father  incomprehensible,  the  Son 
incomprehensible,  and  the  Holy  Ghost 
incomprehensible. 

The  Father  eternal,  the  Son  eternal,  and 
tlie  Holy  Ghost  eternal. 

And  yet  there  are  not  three  Eteru?'": 
'vkjlX  one  Eternal. 

And  also  there   are  not  three  Uncre 

ivcds,  nor  three  Incomprehensibles ;  but 

2 


18  DECLARATION    OF    FAITH. 

one  Uncreated,  and  one  Incomprehensi 
ble. 

In  like  manner  the  Father  is  Almighty, 
the  Son  Almighty,  and  the  Holy  Ghost 
Almighty. 

And  yet  there  are  not  three  Almighties^ 
but  one  Ahiiighty. 

So  the  Father  is  God,  the  Son  is  God, 
and  the  Holy  Ghost  is  God. 

And  yet  they  are  not  three  Gods,  but 
one  God. 

So  likewise  the  Father  is  Lord,  the  Son 
is  Lord,  and  the  Holy  Ghost  is  Lord. 

And  yet  they  are  not  three  Lords,  but 
one  Lord. 

For  as  we  are  compelled  by  the  Chris- 
tian truth  to  acknowledge  every  person 
by  himself  to  be  Lord  and  God  : 

So  we  are  forbidden  by  the  Catholic  re- 
ligion to  say,  that  there  are  three  Gods  or 
three  Lords. 

The  Father  is  made  of  no  one,  neither 
created,  nor  begotten. 

The  Son  is  from  the  Father  alone,  no 
made,  nor  created,  but  begotten. 

The  Holy  Ghost  is  from  the  Father  ard 
the  Son,  not  made,  nor  created,  nor  be- 
gotten, but  proceeding. 

So  there  is  one  Father,  not  three  Fa- 
thers ;  one  Son,  not  three  Sons  ;  one  Holy 
Ghost,  not  three  Holy  Ghosts. 


UECLARATION    OF    FAITH.  19 

And  in  this  Trinity  there  is  nothing  be- 
Tore  or  after,  nothing  greater  or  lesser; 
but  the  whole  three  persons  are  co-eternal 
to  one  another,  and  co-equal. 

So  that  in  all  things,  as  has  been  al- 
ready said  above,  the  Unity  is  to  be  wor- 
shipped in  Trinity,  and  the  Trinity  in 
Unity. 

He  therefore  that  will  be  saved  must 
thus  think  of  the  Trinity. 

Furthermore  it  is  necessary  to  everlast- 
ing salvationj  that  he  also  believe  rightly 
the  incarnation  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

Now  the  right  faith  is :  that  we  believe 
and  confess  that  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
the  Son  of  God,  is  both  God  and  Man. 

He  is  God  of  the  substance  of  the  Fa- 
ther, begotten  before  the  world ;  and  he 
is  Man,  of  the  substance  of  his  Mother, 
born  in  the  world. 

Perfect  God  and  perfect  Man;  of  a  ra- 
tional soul,  and  human  flesh  subsisting. 

Equal  to  the  Father  according  to  his 
Godhead ;  and  lesser  than  the  Father  ac 
cording  to  his  Manhood. 

Who,  although  he  be  both  God  and 
Man,  yet  he  is  not  two,  but  one  Christ. 

One.  not  by  the  conversion  of  the  God 
head  into  flesh,  ^ut  by  the  taking  of  the 
manhood  unto  God. 


20  MORNFNG  EXERCISES. 

One  altogether,  not  by  contusion  ofsub- 
stance,  but  by  unity  of  person. 

For  as  the  rational  soul  and  the  flesh  is 
one  man,  so  God  and  man  is  one  Christ. 

Who  suffered  for  our  salvation,  de- 
scended into  hell, rose  again  the  third  day 
from  the  dead. 

He  ascended  into  heaven:  he  sitteth  al 
the  right  hand  of  God  the  Father  Al- 
mighty: from  thence  he  shall  come  to 
judge  the  living  and  the  dead. 

At  whose  coming  all  men  shall  rise 
again  with  their  bodies,  and  shall  give  an 
account  of  their  own  works. 

And  they  that  have  done  good,  shall  go 
into  life  everlasting  :  and  they  that  have 
done  evil,  into  everlasting  fire. 

This  is  the  Catholic  faith,  which  ex 
cept  a  man  believe  faithfully  and  stead 
fastly,  he  cannot  be  saved. 


HOMING  EXERCISE. 

• 

,At  awakening  wi  the  momins;,  sayr  O 
ray  God,  my  only  good,  the  autrior  of  my 
being  and  my  last  end,  I  give  thee  my 
heart.  Praise,  honour,  and  glory  be  to 
thee  for  ever  and  ever.     Amen. 

At  rising  up,  say :  In  the  name  of  the 


MORNING  PRAYERS.  21 

Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy 
Ghost.     Amen. 

I  will  raise  myself  up  from  this  bed  of 
sleep,  tu  adore  my  God,  and  to  labour  for 
ttie  salvation  of  my  soul.  O  may  I  rise 
on  the  last  day  unto  life  ev^erlasting. 

When  clothed,  kneel  dovm  and  say :  la 
the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son, 
and  of  the  Floly  Ghost.     Amen. 

Blessed  be  the  holy  and  undivided  Tri- 
nity, now  and  for  ever  more.  Holy,  holy, 
holy  Lord  God  of  hosts!  The  earth  is 
full  of  thy  glory.  Glory  be  to  the  Fa- 
ther :  glory  be  to  the  Son  :  glory  be  to  the 
Holy  Ghost. 

AN  ACT  OF  ADORATION. 

O  great  God,  the  Sovereign  Lord  of 
heaven  and  earth,  I  prostrate  myself  be- 
fore thee.  With  all  the  angels  and  saints 
I  adore  thee.  I  acknowledge  thee  to  be 
my  Creator  and  Sovereign  Lord,  my  first 
beginning  and  last  end.  I  render  to  thee 
the  homage  of  my  being  and  life.  I  sub- 
mit myself  to  thy  holy  will;  and  I  devote 
myself  to  thy  divine  service  this  day  and 
foi  ever. 

AN  ACT  OF  FAITH. 

O  my  God!  I  firmly  believe  all  the  sa- 
cred truths  which  thy  holy  Catholic 
Church  beheves  ai^d  teaches,  because  thou 


22  MORNING  PRAYERS. 

hast  revealed  them,  who  neither  oaast  de- 
ceive nor  be  deceived. 

AN  ACT  OF  HOPE. 

O  my  God!  relying  on  thy  infinite 
goodness  and  promises,  I  hope  to  obtain 
the  pardon  of  my  sins,  the  assistance  oi 
thy  grace,  and  life  everlasting,  througft 
the  merits  of  Jesus  Christ,  our  Lord  and 
Saviour. 

AN  ACT  OF  LOVE. 

O  my  God  !  I  love  thee  above  all  things 
with  my  whole  heart  and  soul,  purely  be- 
cause thou  art  infinitely  perfect  and  do- 
serving  of  all  love.  I  love  also  my  neigh- 
bour as  myself  for  the  love  of  thee.  1 
forgive  all  who  have  injured  me,  and  ask 
pardon  of  all  whom  I  have  injured. 

AN  ACT  OF  THANKSGIVING. 

O  glorious  Trinity !  I  praise  thee  and 
l^ive  thee  thanks  for  the  numberless  bene 
fits  thou  hast  bestowed  upon  me.  I  thank 
thee,  O  heavenly  Father,  for  having  cre- 
ated me  to  thy  own  image  and  likeness, 
and  for  having  preserved  me  to  this  day. 
I  thank  thee,  O  merciful  Son,  for  having 
redeemed  mc  by  thy  death,  and  so  often 
fed  me  with  thy  precious  body  and  blood. 
I  thank  thee,  O  Holy  Spirit,  for  having 


MORNING  PRAYERS.  23 

cleansed  my  soal  by  thy  grace  m  holy 
baptism,  for  having  called  me  to  the  true 
faith,  and  so  often  washed  me  from  my 
sins  in  the  sacrament  of  penance.  I  thank 
thee,  O  most  bountiful  God,  for  preserv- 
mg  me  this  night,  and  granting  me  this 
day  to  serve  thee.  I  earnestly  invite  all 
the  saints  of  heaven  and  earth  to  join 
with  me  in  praise  and  thanksgiving  for 
thy  infinite  goodness. 

Pause  a  while,  and  foresee  the  sins  you 
are  most  subject  to,  and  firmly  resolve  to 
avoid  them. 

AN  ACT  OF  CONTRITION. 

My  conscience,  O  Lord,  still  reproaches 
me  with  many  weaknesses  and  infidelities. 
I  most  sincerely  repent  for  having  of- 
fended thy  infinite  goodness.  I  firmly  re- 
solve to  avoid  sin  for  the  future,  and 
rather  to  die  than  offend  thee. 

Make  a  firm  resolution  to  avoid  evil,  and 
to  do  good. 

Adorable  Jesus  !  Divine  model  of  that 
perfection  to  which  we  should  all  aspire! 
I  will  endeavour  this  day  to  follow  thy  ex- 
ample ;  to  be  mild,  humble,  chaste,  zeal- 
ous, patient,  charitable  and  resigned.  In- 
cline my  heart  t^  keep  thy  command- 
ments. I  am  resoi'ved  to  watch  over  my- 
self with   the  greatest  diligence,  and  to 


24  MORNING  PRAYERS. 

live  soberly,  justlj',  and  pioush''.  For  the 
lime  to  come.  I  Avill  take  care  of  my 
ways,  that  I  may  not  offend  with  my 
tongue.  I  Avill  turn  away  my  eyes,  that 
tliey  may  not  see  vanity,  and  I  will  be 
particularly  attentive  not  to  relapse  this 
day  into  my  accustomed  failings  j  but  to 
struggle  against  them  with  thy  gracious 
assistance.  Enlighten  my  mind,  purify 
my  heart,  and  guide  my  steps,  that  I  may 
pass  all  my  fife  in  thy  divine  service. 
Jimen. 

THE  lord's  prayer. 

Our  Father,  who  art  in  heaven,  hal- 
lowed be  thy  name;  thy  kingdom  come; 
thy  will  be  done  on  earth  as  it  is  in  hea- 
ven. Give  us  this  day  our  daily  bread: 
and  forgive  us  our  trespasses  as  we  for- 
give them  who  trespass  against  us  :  and 
lead  us  not  into  temptation;  butdehver  us 
from  evil.     Amen. 

THE  ANGELICAL  SALUTATION. 

Hail,  Mary,  full  of  grace,  the  Lord  is 
with  thfe :  blessed  art  thou  amongst  wo 
men,  and  blessed  is  the  fruit  of  thy 
womb,  Jesus.  Holy  Mary,  mother  of 
(iod,  piay  for  us  sinners,  now,  and  in 
tliff  hour  of  our  death.     Amen. 


MORNING  PRAYERS.  25 

THE  apostle's  CREEP. 

1  believe  in  God,  the  Father  Almighty, 
Creator  of  heaven  an'd  earth,  and  in  Jesus 
Christ,  his  only  Son,  our  Lord;  who  was 
conceived  by  the  Holy  Ghost,  born  of  the 
V^irgin  Mary,  suftered  under  Pontius  Pi- 
late, Avas  crucified,  dead  and  buried ;  he 
descended  into  hell,  the  third  day  he  rose 
again  from  the  dead;  he  ascended  into 
heaven,  and  sitteth  at  the  right  hand  of 
God  the  Father  Almighty  ;  from  thence 
he  shall  come  to  judge  the  living  and  the 
dead.  I  believe  in  the  Holy  Ghost,  the 
Holy  Catholic  Church,  the  communion  of 
saints,  the  forgiveness  of  sins,  the  resur-' 
rection  of  the  body,  and  life  everlasting. 
Amen. 

THE  CONFITEOR. 

I  confess  to  Almighty  God,  to  blessed 
Mary,  ever  Virgin,  to  blessed  IMichail  the 
archangel,  to  blessed  John  the  Baptist,  to 
the  Holy  Apostles  Peter  and  Paul,  and  to 
all  the  saints,  that  I  have  sinned  exceed- 
higly  in  thought,  word,  and  deed,  through 
my  fault,  through  my  fault,  through  my 
most  grievous  fault.  Therefore  I  beseech 
the  blessed  Mary,  ever  Virgin,  the  hiosseu 
Michael  the  archangel,  the  blessed  John 
the  Baptist,  the  holy  apostles  Peter  and 


26  MORNING  PRAYERS. 

Paul,  and  all  the  saints,  to  pray  to  the 
Lord  our  God  for  me. 

May  the  Almighty  God  have  mercy  on 
me,  and  forgive  me  my  sins,  and  bring 
me  to  everlasting  life.     Amen. 

May  the  almighty  and  merciful  Lord 
give  me  pardon,  absolution,  and  remissioa 
of  all  my  sins.     Amen. 

Invoke   the    bleskd     Virgin,   your    angel 
gucrrdian  and  your  jyatron  saint. 

O  holy  Virgin,  Mother  of  God,  my  ad- 
vocate and  patroness,  pray  for  thy  poor 
servajit:  shoAV  thyself  a  mother,  to  me; 
and  thou,  O  blessed  Spirit,  whom  God  in 
his  mercy  halh  appointed  to  watch  over 
i!ie,  iriterc'^'de  for  me  this  day,  that  I  may 
nor  .stray  from  the  path  of  virtue.  Thou 
also,  O  happy  saint,  whose  name  I  bear^ 
pray  ibrme,  that  I  may  serv^  God  faith- 
fully in  this  life,  as  thou  hast  done,  and 
glorify  him  eternally  with  thee  in  heaven. 
Amen. 

THE   r.ITANVOF  TJIE  HOLY  NAME  OF  JESUS 

LORD,  have  mercy  on  us. 
Christ  have  mercy  on  us. 
Christ  hear  us. 
Christ  graciously  hear  us. 
God  the  Father  of  heaven,  h'^.ve  mercy 

on  us. 


MORNING  PRAYERS.  27 

God  the  Son,  Redeemer  of  the  world, 

God  the  Holy  Ghost, 

Holy  Trinity,  one  God, 

Jesus,  Son  of  the  living  God, 

Jesus,  Splendor  of  the  Father, 

Jesus,  Brightness  of  eternal  Life, 

Jesus,  King  of  Glory, 

Jesus,  Sun  of  Justice, 

Jesus,  Son  of  the  Virgin  Mary, 

Jesus,  most  amiable, 

Jesus,  most  admirable, 

Jesus,  powerful  God, 

Jesus,  Father  of  the  world  to  come, 

Jesus,  Angel  of  the  great  Council, 

Jesus,  most  patient, 

Jesus,  most  obedient, 

Jesus,  meek  and  humble  of  heart, 

Jesus,  Lover  of  Chastity, 

Jesus,  God  of  Peace, 

Jesus,  Lover  of  Manldnd, 

Jesus,  Author  of  Life, 

Jesus,  Model  of  Virtues, 

Jesus,  zealous  for  Souls, 

Jesus,  our  God, 

Jesus,  our  Refuge, 

Jesus,  Father  of  the  Poor, 

Jesus,  Treasurer  of  the  Faithful, 

Jesus,  good  Shepherd, 

Jesus,  true  Light, 

Jesus,  eternal  Wisdom, 

Jesus,  mfinite  Goodness, 


28  M9RNING  PRAYERS. 

JesuSj  our  Way,  and  our  Life, 

Jesus,  Joy  of  angeJs, 

Jesus,  King  of  the  patriarchs, 

Jesus,  Master  of  the  apostles, 

Jesus,  Teacher  of  the  evangelists^ 

Jesus,  Strength  of  martyrs, 

Jesus,  Light  of  confessors, 

Jesus,  Purity  of  virgins, 

Jesus,  Crown  of  all  saints, 

Be  merciful  unto  us.     Hear  us,  O  Jesus! 

Be  merciful  unto  us.     Spare  iis,  OJesiis! 

From  all  sin, 

.From  thy  wrath. 

From  the  snares  of  the  devil. 

From  the  spirit  of  uncleanliness. 

From  eternal  death. 

From  the  neglect  of  thy  inspirations 

By  the  mystery  of  thy  incarnation. 

By  thy  nativity. 

By  thy  childhood, 

By  tiiy  labours. 

By  thy  agony  and  passion. 

By  thy  death  and  burial. 

By  thy  resurrection. 

By  thy  ascension. 

By  thy  glory. 

Lamb  of  God,  who  takest  away  the 
sins  of  th(^  world,  Sjnire  us,  O  Jesus ! 

Lamb  of  God,  who  takest  away  the 
pins  of  the  world,  jF/mrifs,  O  Jesus! 

Lamb   of  God,  who  takest  away  the 


M0RN1^"G   PRAYERS.  29 

Sins  of  the  world.  Have  mercy  on  irs,  O 
Jesus ! 

Jesus,  hear  us.  Lord  Jcs-us,  gracionishj 
hear  us ! 

O  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  Avho  hast  said. 
Ask  and  you  shall  receive,  seek  and  ynu 
nludljind,  knock  and  it  shall  be  opened  nnio 
you,  mercirully  attend  to  our  supplica- 
tion, and  grant  us  the  divine  gift  of  thy 
charity,  that  we  may  ever  love  thee  with 
our  whole  hearts,  and  never  desist  from 
thy  praise ;  who  livest  and  reignest  one 
God,  world  without  end.     Amen. 

A  prayer  to  the  blessed  virgin. 

We  fly  to  thy  patronage,  O  holy  Mother 
of  God !  despise  not  our  petitions  in  our 
necessities,  but  deUver  us  from  all  dan 
gers,  O  ever  glorious  and  blessed  Virgin' 

THE  ANGELUS  DOMI^•I, 

To  he  said  morning,  noon,  and  night,  in 
memory  of  the  adm-ahle  mystery  of  the 
Incaiiiation  of  our  blessed  Saviour. 

1.  The  angel  of  the  Lord  declared 
unto  Mary;  and  she  conceived  of  the 
Holy  Ghost.     Hail,  Mary,  Sec. 

2.  Behold  the  handmaid  of  the  Lord  ; 
may  it  be  done  unto  me  according  to  thy 
word.     Hail,  Mary,  &c 


30  PRAYERS  FOR  THE  CHURCH. 

3.  And  the  word  was  made  flesh  :  and 

dwelt  among  us.     Hail,  Mary,  &c. 

Let  vs  Fray. 

Pour  forth,  we  beseech  thee,  O  Loid, 
ihy  grace  into  our  hearts,  that  we,  to 
whom  the  incarnation  of  Christ,  thy  Son 
was  made  known  by  the  message  of  an 
angel,  may  by  his  passion  and  cross  be 
brought  to  the  glory  of  his  resurrection  ; 
through  the  same  Christ  our  Lord.   Anieii. 

Prayers  for  the  Church,  for  the  Rid'uisr 
Powers,  c^c. 

We  pray  thee,  O  almighty  and  eternal 
God,  who,  through  Jesus  Christ,  hast 
revealed  thy  glory  to  all  nations,  to  pre- 
serve the  worlds  of  thy  mercy  ;  that  thy: 
church,  being  spread  through  the  whole 
world,  may  continue,  with  unchanging 
faith,  in  the  confession  of  thy  name. 

We  pray  thee,  who  alone  art  good  and 
holy,  to  endow  with  heavenly  knowledge, 
sincere  zeal,  and  sanctity  of  life,  our  chief 
bishop,  JY.  jy.,  the  vicar  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  in  the  government  of  his  church  ,- 
our  own  bishop,  JV.  JV.,  {or,  if  he  be  not 
consecrated,  "  our  bishop  elect ;")  all  other 
bishops,  prelates  and  pastors  of  the  church ; 
and  especially  those  who  are  appointed 
to  exercise  amongst  u^  the  functions  of  the 


PRAYER5  FOR  THE  CHURCU.  31 

holy  ministry,  and  conduct  thy  people 
into  the  ways  of  salvation. 

We  pray  thee,  O  God  of  might,  R'lydom 
and  justice,  through  whom  authority  is 
rightly  administered,  laws  are  enacted ,  and 
judgment  decreed,  assist  with  thy  Holy 
Spirit  of  counsel  and  fortitude  the  presi 
dent  of  these  United  States ;  that  his  ad 
ministration  may  be  conducted  in  righte- 
ousness, and  be  eminently  useful  to  thy 
people  over  whom  he  presides ;  by  en- 
couraging due  respect  for  virtue  and  reli- 
gion ;  by  a  faithful  execution  of  the  laws 
in  justice  and  mercy ;  and  by  restraining 
vice  and  immoraUty.  Let  the  light  of 
thy  divine  wisdom  direct  the  deliberations 
of  congress,  and  shine  forth  in  all  their 
proceedings  and  laws,  framed  for  our  rule 
and  government ;  so  that  they  may  tend 
to  the  preservation  of  peace,  the  promo- 
tion of  national  happiness,  the  increase 
of  industry,  sobriety,  and  useful  know- 
ledge; an^  may  perpetuate  to  us  the 
blessings  of  equal  liberty. 

We  pray  for  his  excellency  the  go- 
\rernor  of  this  state,  for  the  members  of 
assembly,  for  all  judges,  magistrates,  and 
other  officers,  who  are  appointed  to  guard 
our  political  welfare;  that  they  may  be 
enabled,  by  thy  powerful  protection,  to 


32  PRAYF''*n4  FOR  THE  CHUllCH. 

discharge  the  duties  of  their  respective 
stations  with  honesty  and  ability. 

We  recommend  Ukewise,  to  thy  un- 
bounded mercy,  all  our  brethren  and  fel- 
low citizens,  thro  ughout  the  United  States, 
that  they  may  be  blessed  in  the  know- 
ledge, and  sanctified  in  the  observance  of 
thy  most  holy  law  :  that  they  may  be 
preserved  in  union,  and  in  that  peace 
which  the  world  cannot  give ;  and,  after 
enjoying  the  blessings  of  this  life,  be  ad- 
mitted to  those  which  are  eternal. 

Finally,  we  pray  thee,  O  Lord  of  mercy ! 
to  remember  the  souls  of  thy  servants 
departed,  who  are  gone  before,  us,  with 
the  sign  of  faith,  and  repose  in  the  sleep 
of  peace ;  the  souls  of  our  parents,  rela- 
tions and  friends ;  of  those  who,  when 
living,  were  members  of  this  congrega- 
tion :  and  particularly  of  such  as  are 
lately  deceased ;  of  all  benefactors,  who, 
by  their  donations,  or  legacies  to  this 
church,  witnessed  their  zeal  for  the  de- 
cency of  divine  worship,  and  proved  theii 
claim  to  our  grateful  and  charitable  re- 
membrance. To  these,  O  Lord !  and  to 
all  that  rest  in  Christ,  grant,  we  beseech 
thee,  a  place  of  refreshment,  light,  and 
everlasting  peace,  through  the  same  Jesus 
Christ,  our  Lord  and  Saviour.     Amen. 


INSTRUCTIONS  FOR  MASS.  o6 

INSTRUCTIONS  AND  DEVOTIONS 

FOR  HEARING  MASS. 

IfTiat  the  Mass  is,  and  for  what  end  it  it 
to  be  offered. 

1.  FROM  the  beginning  of  the  world, 
the  servants  of  God  were  always  accu9» 
tomed  to  offer  sacrifice  to  him,  by  way  of 
acknowledging  his  sovereignty,  and  pay- 
ing their  homage  to  him :  and  in  all  an- 
cient religions,  true  or  false,  this  worship 
of  sacrifice  was  always  looked  upon  as  a 
solemn  act  of  religion,  due  to  the  deity 
which  they  worshipped. 

2.  In  the  law  of  nature,  and  in  the  law 
of  Moses,  there  was  great  variety  of 
sacrifices:  some  bloody,  (in  which  the 
victim  was  slain,)  others  unbloody :  some 
were  called  holocausts,  or  whole  burnt- 
offerings,  in  which  the  whole  host  or  victim 
was  consumed  in  fire  upon  God's  altar, 
for  his  honor  and  glory;  others  were 
called  sin  offerings,  which  were  offered 
for  sins;  others  were  offerings  of  thanks- 
giving; others,  in  fine,  were  pacific,  or 
peace-offerings ;  which  were  offered  for 
obtaining  favors  of  God ;  the  word  peace, 
in  the  scripture  style,  signifying  all  man- 
ner of  good  and  prosperity. 

3.  A 11  these  sacrifices  of  the  law  of 

3 


34  INSTRUCTIONS  FOR  MASS. 

nature  and  the  law  of  Moses  were  of 
themselves  but  iveak  and  feebh  elements ^ 
and  only  figures  of  a  sacrifice  to  come, 
VIZ.,  that  of  Jesus  Christ ;  in  consideration 
of  which  sacrifice  only,  and  of  the  faith 
of  the  offerers,  by  which  ♦hey  believed  in 
this  Redeemer  to  come,  those  ancieni 
sacrifices  were  then  accepted  by  the 
Divine  Majesty,  when  they  were  accom- 
panied with  the  inward  sacrifice  of  the 
heart:  but  not  for  any  intrinsic  worth  or 
dignity  of  the  things  offered  ;  for  no  other 
Dlood  but  the  blood  of  Christ  could  wash 
away  our  sins.  Hence,  in  the  39th 
Psalm,  spoken  in  the  person  of  Christ  to 
his  Father,  we  read.  Sacrifice  and  obla- 
tion thou  didst  not  desire;  but  thou  hast 
fitted  a  body  for  me.  So  St.  Paul  reads 
It:  Heb.  x.  5.  B unit-offering  and  sin-of- 
ferinfn;  thou  didst  not  require  ;  then  said  I, 
Behold  1  come.  To  give  us  to  understand, 
that  by  reason  of  the  insufficiency  of  the 
sacrifices  of  the  old  law,  Christ  himself 
would  come  to  be  our  sacrifice ;  and  would 
offer  up  his  own  body  and  blood  for  us. 

4.  Accordingly,  our  Saviour  Jesuj 
Christ,  at  the  time  appointed  by  his  Fa- 
ther, having  taken  flesh  for  us,  was 
pleased  to  offer  himself  a  sacrifice  for  us 
all;  dying  upon  the  cross  fn;  the  sins  of 
tlie  wnole  world.     By  this   7ne  offering 


INSTRUCTIONS  FOR  WASS.  36 

we  were  completely  redeemed,  inasmuch 
as  our  ransom  was  paid,  and  all  mercy, 
grace,  and  salvation  were  purchased  for 
us.  Neither  can  there  now  be  any  need 
of  his  dying  any  more,  or  purchasing  any 
other  graces  for  us,  than  those  for  which 
he  has  already  paid  the  price  of  his  blood. 

5.  Nevertheless,  for  the  daily  applicor- 
tion  of  this  one  eternal  redemption  to  our 
Eouls,  and  that  the  mercy,  grace,  and 
salvation  which  he  has  purchased  for  us 
may  be  actually  communicated  to  us,  he 
not  only  continually  appears  in  our  be- 
half in  the  sanctuary  of  heaven,  there 
representing  and  offering  to  his  Father 
his  death  and  passion  for  us,  but  has  also 
instituted  the  blessed  eucharist,  the  night 
Defore  his  passion,  in  which  he  has  be- 
queathed unto  us  his  body  and  blood  under 
the  sacramental  veils,  not  only  to  be  re- 
ceived by  us  as  a  sacrament,  for  the  food 
and  nourishment  of  our  souls,  but  also, 
to  be  offered  and  presented  by  his  minis- 
ters to  his  Father  [mystically  broken  and 
shedj  as  a  sacrifice,  not  by  way  of  a  new 
death,  but  by  way  of  a  standing  memo- 
rial of  his  death,  a  daily  celebrating  and 
representing  of  this  death  to  God,  and 
an  application  of  the  fruits  of  it  to  our 
souls. 

0.  The  eucharistic  sacrifice  of  the  body 


36  INSTRUCTIONS  FOR  MASS. 

and  blood  of  Christ,  daily  olTered  under 
the  forms  of  bread  and  wine,  in  remem- 
brance of  his  passion,  is  what  is  called  the 
Mass.  This  is  the  solemn  liturgy  of  the 
Catholic  church.  This  is  that  jmre  offer 
171^,  made  to  God  in  every  place  among 
the  Gentiles,  according  to  the  prophecy 
of  Malachia,  i.  10,  11.  By  this  Christ  is 
a  priest,  for  ever,  according  to  the  order  of 
Melchisedec,  Ps.  cix.,  whose  sacrifice  was 
bread  and  wine  :  Gen.  xv. 

7.  This  sacrifice  of  the  Mass  is  the  same 
in  substance  with  that  which  Christ  of 
fered  for  us  upon  the  cross,  because  both 
the  victim  offered,  and  the  priest,  or  prin- 
cipal offerer,  is  the  same  Jesus  Christ. 
Tlie  difference  is  only  in  the  manner  of  thd 
oflering:  because  upon  the  cross  our  Sa- 
viour offered  himself  in  such  a  manner, 
as  really  to  shed  his  blood  and  die  for  us  : 
whereas  now  he  does  not  really  shed  hia 
blood,  nor  die  any  more.  And  therefore 
this  is  called  an  nnbloody  sacrifice;  and  thai 
on  the  cross,  a  bloody  sacrifice. 

8.  By  reason  of  this  near  alliance  which 
this  sacrifice  of  the  Mass  has  with  the 
sacrifice  of  the  cross,  it  completely  an- 
ewers  all  the  difterent  ends  of  sacrifice, 
and  that  in  a  manner  infinitely  more  per- 
fect than  any  of  the  ancient  sacrifices. 
Christ  is  there  both  priest  and  victim,  re- 


INSTRUCTIONS  FOR  MASS.  37 

presentin;^  in  person  and  offering  up  his 
death  and  passion  to  his  father  :  First,  for 
the  (uioration.  praise,  honour,  and  glory 
of  the  Divine  Majesty.  Secondly,  in 
Ihariksgiviug  for  all  his  benefits.  Thirdl)--, 
for  the  obtaining  j^ardon  of  our  sins. 
Fourthly,  for  the  obtaining  of  gi-ace  and 
salvation  for  us,  by  the  merits  of  that  same 
death  and  passion.  And  therefore  this 
sacrifice,  in  order  to  obtain  all  these  ends, 
must  be  infinitely  beyond  all  the  holocausts, 
thank-off enn2;s,  sin-offerings,  and  peace- 
offerings  of  tne  ancient  law. 

9.  This  sacrifice  of  the  Mass,  then,  is 
ofifered  up  to  God  in  the  Catholic  church, 
1st,  as  a  daily  remembrance  of  the  passion 
of  Christ  ]  Tfiis  do  in  remembrance  of  me, 
St.  Luke,  xxii.  2dly,  As  a  most  solemn 
worship  of  the  Divine  Majesty.  3dly,  As 
a  most  acceptable  tJianksgiving  to  God, 
from  whence  it  has  the  name  of  eucharist, 
4thly,  As  a  most  powerful  means  to  move 
God  to  show  mercy  to  us  in  the  forgive- 
ness of  our  sins  i  for  which  reason  we  call 
it  propitiatory.  And,  lastly,  as  a  most 
effectual  way  to  obtain  of  God  all  that  we 
want,  coming  to  him  (as  we  here  do) 
with  Christ  and  through  Christ. 

10.  For  these  ends,  both  priest  and  peo- 
ple ought  to  offer  up  the  sacrifice  of  the 
Miss.     The  priest,  as  Christ's  minister 

254860 


60  INSTRUCTIONS  FOR  MASS. 

and  in  his  person ;  and  the  people  by  thv 
hands  of  the  priest ;  and  both  the  one  an«i 
the  other  by  the  hands  of  the  great  higu 
priest,  Jesus  Christ.  And  with  this  offer- 
ing of  Christ*s,  both  the  one  and  the  other 
ought  to  make  a  total  offering  of  them- 
selves also  by  his  hands,  and  in  the  union 
with  him. 

1 1 ,  Hence  the  best  devotion  for  hearing 
Mass,  is  that  which  has  for  its  object  the 
passion  of  Christ,  and  which  tends  to 
unite  us  to  the  soul  of  Christ,  and  througti 
him  to  his  Father;  and  which  most  per- 
fectly answers  all  the  other  ends  of  this 
sacrifice,  viz,  the  adoration  of  God,  thanks- 
giving for  all  his  benefits,  the  obtaining 
pardon  for  all  our  sins,  and  grace  in  all 
our  necessities. 

77ic  manner  ofliearin^  Mass. 
At  the  beginning  of  the  mass,  the  priest, 
at  the  foot  of  the  altar,  makes  the  sign 
of  the  cross,  In  the  name  of  the  Father, 
and  of  tJie  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost, 
Amen,  and  then  recites,  with  the  clerk, 
the  42d  Psalm,  Judica  me,  Deus,  ^c. ,  Judge 
me,  O  Grod,  Sf-c,  which  you  may  either  in- 
cite with  him,  or  pray  as  follows : 


DEVOTIONS  FOR  MASS.  39 

A  Prayer  for  the  beginning  of  tJie  Mass. 

O  Almighty  Lord  of  heaven  and 
earth  I  behold,  I,  a  wretched  sinner, 
presume  to  appear  before  thee,  this 
day,  to  offer  up  to  thee  by  the  hands 
of  this  thy  minister,  and  by  the  hands 
of  our  high-priest,  Jesus  Christ,  thy 
Son,  the  sacrifice  of  his  body  and  blood, 
in  union  with  that  sacrifice  which  he 
offered  thee  upon  the  cross.  First,  for 
thy  own  honor,  praise,  adoration,  and 
glory.  Secondly,  in  remembrance  of  his 
death  and  passion.  Thirdly,  in  thanks- 
giving for  all  thy  blessings  bestowed 
on  him  and  on  his  whole  church, 
whether  triumphant  in  heaven,  or  mili- 
tant on  earth  ;  and  especially  for  tho&e 
bestowed  on  me,  the  most  unworthy 
of  all.  Fourthly,  for  obtaining  pardon 
and  remission  of  all  my  sins ;  and  of 
those  of  all  others^  whether  living  o? 
dead,  for  whom  I  ought  to  pray  ;  and 
lastly,  for  obtaining  all  graces  and 
blessings  both  for  myself  and  for  the 
whole  church.  O !  be  thou  pleased  to 
assist  me  in  such  a  manner  by  thy 
^race,  thac  I  may  behsve  mv^^elf  this 


40  DEVOTIONS  FOR  MASS. 

day  as  1  ought  to  do,  in  thy  divine 
presence ;  and  that  I  may  so  conime- 
inorate  the  death  and  passion  of  thy 
Son,  as  to  partake  most  plentifully  oi 
the  fruits  of  it,  through  tlie  same  Jesus 
Christ  thy  Son.     Amen. 

Then  the  priest,  bowing  down,  says  ths 
Conjiteor,  I  confess  to  JllniiglUy  God,  «$'C., 
by  way  of  a  general  confessjon  to  God, 
to  the  wiiole  court  of  iieaven,  and  to  ail 
the  failhfid  there  present,  of  his  sins  and 
unworthiness  -,  and  to  beg  their  prayers 
to  God  for  him.  And  the  clerk  in  the 
name  of  the  people  prays  for  the  priest, 
that  God  would  have  mercy  on  him,  and 
forgive  him  his  sins,  and  bring  him  to 
everlasthjg  hfe.  Then  in  the  name  of  all 
there  present,  the  clerk  makes  the  like 
general  confession  to  God,  to  the  whole 
court  of  heaven,  and  to  the  priest,  and 
begs  his  prayers.  And  the  priest  prays 
to  God  to  show  mersy  to  all  his  people, 
and  to  grant  them  pardon,  absolution, 
and  remission  of  all  their  sins;  which  is 
done  to  the  end  that  both  priest  and  peo- 
ple may  put  themselves  in  a  penitential 
spirit,  in  order  to  assist  worthily  at  hia 
divine  sacrifice 


DEVOTIONS  FOR  MASS.  41 

Jl  Prayer  at  the  Confiteor. 
O  blessed  Trinity!  one  God,  Father, 
Son,  and  Holy  Ghost,  prostrate  in  spirit 
before  thee,  1  here  confess,  in  the  sight 
of  the  whole  court  of  heaven,  and  of 
all  thy  faithful,  my  innumerable  trea 
sous  against  thy  divine  Majesty, 
have  sinned^  O  Lord,  I  have  sinned ; 
I  have  grievously  offended  through  the 
whole  course  of  my  life,  in  thought, 
word  and  deed,  and  therefore  am  most 
unworthy  to  lift  up  my  eyes  to  heaven, 
or  so  much  as  to  pronounce  thy  sacred 
name  ;  how  much  more  am  I  unworthy 
to  appear  here  in  thy  sanctuary — and 
to  assist  among  thy  angels  at  these 
heavenly  mysteries,  which  require  so 
much  purity;  because  Jesus  Christ 
himself  is  here  in  person  both  priest 
«ind  victim !  But,  0  my  God,  thy  mer- 
cies are  above  all  thy  works,  and  thou 
wilt  not  despise  a  contrite  and  liumble 
heart ;  and  therefore  1  here  venture  to 
^vome  into  thy  temple,  and  with  the 
poor  publican  (and,  as  I  hope,  with  the 
same  penitential  spirit)  I  strike  my 
breast,  and  say,  0  God^  h^  merciful  to 


42  DEVOTIONS  FOR  MASS. 

me  a  sinner.  [Repeat  this  thrice.]  And  1 
humbly  hope  to  find  this  mercy  which 
I  crave,  through  that  passion  and  death 
which  is  here  celebrated.  O  Fountain 
of  mercy,  grant  this  mercy  to  me,  and 
to  all  poor  sinners.  Amen. 

After  the  Conflteor,  the  priest  goew  up 
to  the  altar,  saying.  Take  away  from  iis, 
we  beseech  thee,  O  Lord!  our  iniquities, 
tlmt  ive  may  he  worthy  to  enter  with' pure 
minds  into  the  holy  of  holies,  through  Jesus 
Christ  our  Lord.  Amen.  Say  the  same 
with  him  ;  and  when  he  kisses  the  aUar, 
as  a  figure  of  Christ,  and  the  seat  of  the 
sacred  mysteries,  make  an  act  of  love  for 
your  divine  Saviour,  and  embrace  his  feel 
with  an  humble  and  tender  affection. 

When  the  priest  is  come  up  to  the  altai 
he  goes  to  the  book,  and  there  reads  what 
is  called  tlie  introit  or  entrance  of  the  Mass, 
which  is  different  every  day,  and  is  gene- 
rally an  anthem  taken  out  of  the  Scripture, 
with  the  rirst  verse  of  one  of  the  psalm?, 
and  the  Glory  be  to  the  Father,  &,c.,  to 
glorify  the  blessed  Trinity. 

A  Prayer  at  the  Inlroit. 

Grant,  O  Lord,  we  may  be  triilj 
prepared  for  the  offering  this  great  sa^ 


DEVOTIONS  FOR  MASS.  43 

crifice  to  thee  this  day;  and  because 
our  sins  alone  can  render  us  displeasing 
to  thee,  therefore  we  cry  aloud  to  thee 
for  mercy. 

The  priest  returns  to  the  middle  of  the 
altar,  and  says,  alternately  with  the  clerk, 
the  Kyrie  Eleison,  or  Lord  have  mercy  on 
us,  which  is  said  three  times  to  God  the 
father ;  three  times,  Christe  Eleison,  or 
Christ  have  mercy  on  us,  to  God  the  Son ; 
and  three  times  again,  Kyrie  Eleison,  to 
God  the  Holy  Ghost.  Join  in  this  fre- 
quent calling  for  mercy  ;  but  let  it  be 
with  a  truly  contrite  and  humble  heart. 

After  the  Kyi'ie  Eleison,  the  priest  re- 
cites the  Gloria  in  Excelsis,  or  Glonj  be  to 
God  on  high,  &c.,  being  an  excellent  hymn 
and  prayer  to  God,  the  beginning  of 
which  was  sung  by  the  angels  at  the 
birth,  of  Christ.  Join  in  this  heavenly 
hymn,  and  excite  in  your  sotil  the  aflfec- 
lions  which  it  ex 'presses. 


44 


DEVOTIONS  FOR  MASS. 


27ie  Gloi'ia  in  Exctlsis. 


Gloria  in  excelsis 
Deo,  et  in  terra  pax 
honiinibus  bonae  vo- 
luntatis. Laudamus 
te.  Benedicimus  te. 
Adoramus  te.  Glori- 
ficamus  te.  Gratias 
agimus  tibi  propter 
magnam  gloriam  tu- 
ani.  Doniine  Deus. 
Rex  CGelestis.  Deus 
Pater  omnipolens. 
Doniine  Fili  unige- 
nite,  Jesu  Christe. 
Domine  Deus,  Ag- 
nus Dei,  Filius  Pa- 
tris.  Q,ui  tollis  pec- 
cata  mundi,  misere- 
re nobis.  Uui  tollis 
peccata  mundi,  sus- 
cipe  deprecationem 
nostram.  Clui  sedes 
ad  dexleram  Patris, 
miserere  nobis. — 
duoniam  tu  solus 
Sanctus.  Tu  solus 
Douiinus.  Tu  solus 
altissimus,  Jesu 

Christe.  Cum  Sane- 


Glory  be  to  God 
on  high,  and  peace 
on  earth  to  men  of 
good  ■'.vill.  We 
praise  thee.  We 
bless  thee.  We 
adore  thee.  We  glo- 
rify thee.  We  give 
thee  thanks  for  thy 
great  glory.  O  Lord 
God !  O  heavenly 
King!  O  God  the 
Father  Almighty ! 
O  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
the  only  begotten 
Son !  O  Lord  God, 
Lamb  of  God,  Son 
of  the  Father!  O 
thou !  who  lalfest 
aw^ay  the  sins  of  the 
world,  have  mercy 
on  us.  O  thou!  who 
takest  away  the  sins 
of  the  world,  receive 
our  prayer.  O  tlinu ! 
who  sittest  at  the 
right  hand  of  the 
Father,  have  mercy 
on    us.     For    thou 


DEVOTIONS  FOR  MASS.  45 


to  Spiritu  in  gloiia 
Dei  Patris.    Aincn. 


alone  art  holy. — 
Thou  alone  art  Lord . 
Thou  alone  art 
most  high,  O  Je- 
sus Christ !  together 
with  the  Holy  Ghost 
in  the  glory  of  the 
Father.  Amen. 
JV.  B.  This  being  a  hymn  of  joy,  is 
omitted  in  the  Masses  of  Requiem  for  the 
dead,  and  in  the  Masses  for  the  Sundays 
and  Ferias  of  the  penitential  times  of  Ad- 
vent and  Lent,  &c. 

At  the  end  of  the  Gloria  in.Excelsis  the 
priest  kisses  the  altar,  and  turning  about 
to  the  people,  says,  Dominus  Dobiscum, 
Tfie  Lord  be  with  you.  Answer.  Et  cum 
Spiritu  tuo.  And  with  thy  spirit.  As  often 
as  this  salutation  is  repeated,  pray  that 
our  Lord  may  be  always  with  you,  with 
hjs  ministers,  and  with  all  his  people,  by 
directing  and  assistmg  all  with  his  heaven 
ly  grace. 

'  The  priest  returns  to  the  book,  and 
Bays,  Oremus,  Let  us  pray;  and  then 
reads  the  collect  or  collects  of  the  day, 
concluding  them  with  the  usual  termina- 
tion, Per  Dominum  nostrum,  TJirongh  our 
Ijn-d  Jesus  Christ,  &c.,  with  which  the 
church  commonly  concludes  all  ner 
prayers.  While  the  priest  is  reading  the 
collects,  you  may  thus  join  with  him. 


46  DEVOTIONS  FOR  MASS 

w2  Prayer  at  the  Collects. 

O  almighty  and  eternal  God,  we 
humbly  beseech  thee  mercifully  to  give 
ear  to  the  prayers  here  offered  thee  by 
tliy  servants,  in  the  name  of  thy  whole 
church,  and  in  behalf  of  us  thy  people  : 
accept  them,  to  the  honor  of  thy  name, 
and  the  good  of  our  souls  ;  and  grant 
to  us  all  mercy,  grace,  and  salva- 
tion, through  our  Lord   Jesus  Christ. 

Oil  the  Festival  of  a  Saint. 

Grant,  we  beseech  thee.  Almighty 
God,  that  the  examples  of  thy  saints 
may  effectually  move  us  to  reform  our 
lives,  that  while  we  celebrate  their  fes- 
tivals, we  may  also  imitate  their  actions, 
through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  Amen. 

The  collects  being  ended,  the  priest 
lays  his  hands  upon  the  book,  and  reads 
the  epistle  or  lesson  of  tlie  day.  At  the 
end  of  which,  the  clerk  answers,  Deo 
sratias,  Tlianks  be  to  God,  viz.,  for  the 
heavenly  doctrine  there  delivered.  Then 
follow  some  verses  or  sentences  of  scrip- 
ture, called  the  Gradual,  which  are  every 


DEVOTIONS  FOR  MASS.  47 

day   different.     During  the  epistle   and 
gradual,  you  may  pray  thus  : 

A  Prayer  at  the  Epistle. 
Thou  hast  vouchsafed,  O  Lord,  to 
teach  us  thy  sacred  truths  by  tliy  pro- 
phets and  apostles  :  O  grant  that  we 
may  so  improve  by  their  doctrine  and 
examples,  in  the  love  of  thy  holy  name, 
and  of  thy  holy  law,  that  we  may  show 
forth  by  our  lives  whose  disciples  we 
are ;  that  we  may  no  longer  follow  the 
corrupt  inclinations  of  flesh  and  blood, 
but  master  all  our  passions :  that  we 
may  be  ever  directed  by  thy  light ;  and 
strengthened  by  thy  grace,  to  walk  in 
the  way  of  thy  commandments,  and  to 
serve  thee  with  clean  hearts,  through 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

1^  Prayer  at  the  Gradual. 

How  wonderful,  O  Lord,  is  thy 
name  through  the  whole  earth !  I  will 
bless  thee,  O  Lord,  at  all  times :  thy 
praise  shall  ever  be  in  my  mouth.  Be 
thou  my  God  and  my  Protector  for 
ever :  I  will  put  my  whole  trust  in 
thee :  O  let  me  never  be  confounded. 


48  DEVOTIONS  FOR  MASS. 

After  this,  the  book  is  removed  to  the 
other  side  of  the  ahar,  in  order  to  the  read- 
ing of  the  gospel  for  the  day.  This  re- 
moval of  the  book  represents  the  passing 
from  the  preaching  of  the  old  law,  figured 
by  the  lesson  or  epistle,  to  the  gospel  of 
Jesus  Christ,  published  by  the  preachers 
of  the  new  law.  The  priest,  before  he 
reads  the  gospel,  stands  awhile  bowing 
down  before  the  middle  of  the  altar,  beg- 
ging of  God  in  secret  to  cleanse  his  heart, 
and  his  lips,  that  he  may  be  worthy  to  de- 
clare those  heavenly  words.  You  may, 
at  the  same  time,  ask  of  God,  that  he 
would  open  your  ears  and  heart,  that  these 
divine  lessons  may  sink  deep  mto  your 
soul. 

At  the  beginning  of  the  gospel  the 
priest  greets  the  people  with  the  usual 
salutation,  Domiaus  vohiscnm.  The  Lord 
be  with  you.  And  then  tells  out  of  which 
of  the  evangelists  the  gospel  is  taken, 
saying,  Seniientia  S.  Evann:elii  secundum^ 
&c,,  i.  e.,  }r  hat  follows  is  of  the  holy  gospel 
&c.  At  which  words  both  priests  ami 
people  make  the  sign  of  the  cross,  Isl, 
Upon  their  foreheads,  to  signify  t'hatthey 
are  not  ashamed  of  the  cross  of  Christ 
and  his  doctrines.  Secondly,  upon  their 
mouths,  to  signify  that  they  will  ever 
profess  it  in  words.    Thirdly,  upon  theii 


DEVOTIONS  FOR  MASS.  49 

breasts,  to  signify  that  they  will  always 
keep  it  in  their  hearts.  The  clerk  answers , 
Ghna  tibi,  Domine^  Glory  be  to  thee,  O 
Lord. 

At  the  gospel  stand  up,  and  declare,  by 
that  posture,  your  readiness  to  go  and  do 
whatsoever  you  shall  be  commanded  by 
your  Saviour  in  his  gospel:  and  if  you 
have  not  the  opportunity  of  reading  it,  or 
otherwise  attending  to  it,  you  may  pray 
as  follows : 

Jl  Prayer  at  the  Gospel. 

O  Lord  Jesus  Clirist,  who  camest 
down  from  heaven  to  instruct  us  in  all 
truth,  and  contitiuest  daily  to  teach  us 
by  thy  holy  gospel,  and  the  preachers 
of  thy  word,  grant  me  grace,  that  1 
may  be  wanting  in  no  care  necessary 
for  being  instructed  in  thy  saving  truths. 
Let  me  be  as  industrious  in  my  soul's 
concern,  as  I  am  for  my  body :  that 
while  I  take  pains  in  the  affairs  of  this 
world,  I  may  not,  through  stupidity  or 
neglect,  let  my  soul  starve  and  perish 
everlastingly.  Let  the  rules  of  thy 
gospel  be  the  direction  of  my  life,  that 
I  may  not  only  know  thy  will,  but 
likewise  do  H ;  that  1  may  observe  thy 
4 


50  DEVOTIONS  FOR  MASS. 

commandments  ;  and,  resisting  all  the 
mclinations  of  corrupt  nature,  ever  fol- 
low thee,  who  art  the  way,  the  truth, 
and  the  life ;  for  thus  only  can  I  be  thy 
true  disciple ;  and  thus  only,  O  Jesus, 
canst  thou  be  my  master. 

At  the  end  of  the  gospel,  the  clerk  an- 
swers. Lavs  tibi,  Christe,  Praise  be  to 
thee,'0  Christ.  And  the  priest  kisses  the 
'  book,  in  reverence  to  those  sacred  words 
he  has  been  reading  out  of  it.  Then  upon 
ail  Swidmjs,  and  many  other  festival  days, 
standing  in  the  middle  of  the  altar,  he  re- 
cites the  Nicene  Creed,  kneeling  down  at 
those  words,  TTe  was  made  man,  in  rever- 
ence to  the  great  mystery  of  our  Lord's 
incarnation. 

The  JVicene  Creed. 

Credo  in  unum  I  believe  in  one 
Deum,  patrem  om-  God,  the  Father  Al- 
nipotentem,  facto-  mighty,  Maker  of 
rem  ccrU  et  terra;,  heaven  and  earth, 
visibilium  omnium,  of  all  things  visible 
et  invisibih'um.  Et  and  invisible.  And 
in  unum  Dominum  in  one  Lord  Jesus 
Jesum  Christum,  Christ,  thp  only  be- 
Filium  Dei  unigeni-  gotten  Son  of  God. 
turn.  Et  ex  Patre  And  born  of  the 
natum,  ante  omnia  Father     before    all 


TEVOTIONS  FOR  MASS. 


51 


saecula.  Deum  de 
Deo,  Lumen  de 
Lnmine,  Deum  ve- 
rum  de  Deo  vero. 
Genitum,  nonfac- 
tum,  consubstanti- 
alem  Patri  per  quern 
omnia  facta  sunt. 
Qui  propter  nos  ho- 
mines, et  propter 
nostram  salutem, 
descendit  de  ccelis. 
Et  incarnatus  est  de 
Spiritu  Sancto  ex 
Maria  Vire^ine;  ET 
HOMO  FACTUS 
EST.  Crucifixus 
etiam  pro  nobis,  sub 
Pontio  Pilato,  passus 
et  sepultus  est.  Et 
resurrexit  tertia  die, 
secundum  Scriptu- 
ras.  Et  ascend  it  in 
co:;lura,  sedet  ad 
dcxteram  Patris.  Et 
itcrum  venturus  est 
cum  gloria  judicare 
vivos  et  mortuos ; 
cujus  regni  non  erit 
fi'nis.  Et  in  Spiri- 
tum    Sanctum   Do- 


ages.  God  of  God, 
Light  of  light,  true 
God  of  true  God. 
Begotten,  not  made; 
consubstantial  to  the 
Father,  by  whom 
all  things  vp-ere  made. 
Who,  for  us  men, 
and  for  our  salva- 
tion, came  down 
from  heaven.  And 
was  incarnated  by 
the  Holy  Ghost  of 
the  Virgin  Marv ; 
AND  HE  WAS 
MADE  MAN:  was 
crucified  also  under 
Pontius  Pilate;  he 
suffered  and  was 
buried.  And  the 
third  day  he  rose 
again,  according  to 
the  Scriptures.  And 
he  ascended  into 
heaven,  sits  at  the 
right  hand  of  the 
Father.  And  he  is 
to  come  again  with 
glory,  to  judge  the 
living  and  the  dead; 
of  whose  kinoiN  m 


52 


DEVOTIONS  FOll  MASS. 


miuum,  et  vivifican- 
tem;  qui  ex  Patre 
Filioque  procedit. 
Q,ui  cum  Patre  et 
Filio  simul  adoratur 
et  conglorificatur; 
qui  locutus  est  per 
prophetas.  Et  unam, 
sanctam,  Catholi- 
cam  et  Apostolicam 
Ecclesiam.  Confi- 
teor  unum  Baptis- 
ma,  in  remissionem 
peccatorum.  Et  ex- 
pecto  rfiSunectionem 
mortuorum.  Et  vi- 
tam  venturi  ssecuJi. 
*B.men. 


there  shall  be  no 
end.  And  in  the 
tloly  Ghost,  the 
Lord  and  Giver  of. 
life,  who  proceeds 
from  the  Father  and 
the  Son,  who,  to- 
gether with  the  Fa- 
ther and  the  Son,  is 
adored  and  glorified- 
who  spoke  by  the 
Prophets.  And  one, 
holy,  Catholic,  and 
Apostolic  Church. 
I  confess  one  Bap- 
tism for  the  remis- 
sion of  sins.  And 
I  look  for  the  resur- 
rection of  the  dead. 
And  the  life  of  the 
world  to  come.— 
»B:men. 


Then  the  priest  turns  about  to  the  peo 
pie,  and  says,  Doniinus  vobiscum,  The 
Lord  be  with  you.  And  having  read  in 
the  book  a  verse  or  sentence  of  the  scrip 
ture,  which  is  called  the  Offertory,  and 
is  every  day  dilFerent,  he  uncovers  the 
chalice,  and  taking  in  his  hand  the  paten, 
or  little  plate,  offers  up  the  bre»d  Ur  God; 


DEVOTIO^S  FOR  MASS.  53 

then  going  to  the  corner  of  the  altar,  he 
lakes  wine,  and  pours  it  into  the  chalice, 
and  mingles  it  with  a  small  quantity  of 
water,  in  remembrance  of  the  blood  and 
water  that  issued  out  of  our  Saviour's 
side;  after  which,  he  returns  to  the  mid- 
dle of  the  ahar,  and  offers  up  the  chalice. 
Then  bowing  down,  he  begs  that  this 
sacrifice,  which  he  desires  to  offer  with 
a  contrite  and  humble  heart,  may  find 
acceptance  with  God ;  and  blessing  the 
bread  and  wine  with  the  sign  of  the  cross, 
he  invokes  the  author  of  all  sanctity  to 
sanctify  this  offering.  During  the  offer- 
tory you  may  pray  thus : 

A  prayer  at  the  Offertory. 

Accept,  O  eternal  Father,  this  of- 
fering which  is  here  made  to  thee  by 
thy  minister,  in  the  name  of  us  all  here 
present,  and  of  thy  whole  church. 
'Tis  as  yet  only  bread  and  wine,  but, 
by  the  miracle  of  thy  power  and  grace, 
will  shortly  become  the  body  and  blood 
of  thy  beloved  Son.  He  is  our  high- 
priest,  and  he  is  our  victim.  With  him 
and  through  him  we  desire  to  approach 
to  thee  this  day,  and  by  his  hands  to 
offer  thee  this  sacrifice,  for  thine  own 


54  DEVOTIONS  FOR  MASS. 

honour,  praise^  and  glory,  in  thanksgiving 
for  all  thy  benefits,  in  satisfaction  for 
all  our  sins,  and  f^or  obtaining  conver- 
sion for  all  unbelievers,  and  mercy, 
grace,  and  salvation  for  all  thy  faithfuL 
And  with  this  offering  of  thy  only  be- 
gotten Son,  we  offer  ourselves  to  thee, 
begging  that,  by  the  virtue  of  this  sa- 
crifice, we  may  be  happily  united  to 
thee,  and  that  nothing  in  life  and  death 
may  ever  separate  us  any  more  from 
thee. 

At  the  end  of  this  offertory,  the  pries: 
goes  to  the  corner  of  the  altar,  and  washes 
the  lips  of  his  fingers,  to  denote  the  clean- 
ness and  purity  of  soul  with  which  we 
ought  to  approach  to  these  divine  myste- 
ries, saying,  Lavaho,  Sec,  /  will  ivash  my 
hands  amonii;  the  innocent,  and  I  ivill  en- 
compass thy  altar,  O  Lm-d,  &c.,  as  in  the 
latter  part  of  the  25th  Psalm.  Then  re- 
turning to  the  middle  of  the  altar,  and 
there  bowing  down,  he  begs  of  the 
blessed  Trinity  to  receive  this  oblation  in 
memory  of  the  passion,  resurrection,  and 
ascension  of  our  Lord  .Tesus  Christ,  and 
for  an  honourable  commemoration  of  the 
blessed  Virgin,  and  of  all  the  saints,  tha< 
they   may   intercede  for  us   in  heaven, 


DEVOTIONS  FOR  MASS.  55 

whose  memory  we  celebrate  upon  earth. 
You  may  thus  join  with  him  : 

A  Prayer  at  the  Lavabo,  or  the  washing 
of  the  fingers. 

O  WHAT  cleanness  and  purity  of 
heart  ought  we  to  bring  witli  us  to  thia 
great  sacrifice  !  but,  alas  !  I  am  a  poor 
unclean  sinner.  O  wash  me,  dear 
Lord,  from  all  the  stains  of  sin  in  the 
blood  of  the  Lamb,  that  T  may  be  worthy 
to  be  present  at  these  heavenly  myste- 
ries. 

.2  Prayer  when  the  Priest  stanch  howirig 
down  at  the  middle  of  the  altar. 

O  MOST  holy  and  adorable  Trinity, 
Touchsafe  to  receive  this  our  sacrifice, 
in  remenihrance  of  our  Saviour's  pas 
sion,  resurrection,  and  glorious  ascen 
sion  ;  and  grant  that  we  may  die  with 
him  to  our  sins,  rise  with  him  to  new 
life,  and  ascend  with  him  to  thee.  Let 
those  saints,  whose  memory  we  cele- 
brate on  earth,  remember  us  before  thy 
throne  in  heaven,  and  obtain  mercy  for 
IS,  through  the  same  Jesus  Ciinst  our 
Lord.     Jlmen. 


5t>  DEVOTIONS  FOR  MASS. 

Then  the  Priest,  kissing  the  altar,  turns 
to  the  people,  and  says.  Orate,  fratres^ 
&LC.,  (i.  e.)  Brethren,  pray  tluit  my  saa^^ 
ficc  and  yours  may  be  made  acceptable  to 
God  the  Father  Almighty.  You  would  do 
well  to  pray  as  he  desires,  and  say  with 
the  clerk  : 

May  the  Lord  receive  this  sacrifice 
from  thy  hands,  to  the  praise  and  glory 
of  his  own  name,  for  our  benefit,  and 
that  of  all  this  holy  church. 

Then  the  priest  says,  in  a  low  voice, 
the  prayers  called  Secreta,  which  corre- 
spond to  the  collects  of  the  day,  and  are 
different  every  day,  during  which  you 
may  pray  as  follows  : 

A  Prayer  at  the  Secreta. 

Mercifully  hear  our  prayers,  O 
Lord,  and  graciously  accept  this  obla- 
tion, which  we  thy  servants  make  to 
thee  ;  and  as  we  ofier  it  to  the  honour  of 
hy  name,  so  may  it  be  to  us  here  a 
means  of  obtaining  thy  grace,  and  life 
everlasting  hereafter,  through  Jesua 
Christ.     Amen. 


DEVOTIONS  FOR  MASS.  57 

Oa  the  Festival  of  a  Saint. 

Saxctify,  O  Lord,  we  beseech 
thee,  these  gifts  which  we  offer  thee 
in  this  solemnity  of  thy  holy  servant, 
Y.,  and  so  strengthen  us  by  thy  grace, 
that  both  in  prosperity  and  adversity 
our  ways  may  be  ever  directed  to  thy 
honor,  througa  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

The  priest  concludes  i\ie  Secreta,  by 
saying  aloud.  Per  omnia  sfKcula  sceculoi-um, 
that  is,  IForld  without  end.  Answer.  Amen. 
Priest,  Dominus  vobiscum.  The  Lord  he 
with  you.  Answer.  Et  cum  spiritu  tuo.  And 
with  thy  spirit.  Priest.  Surswn  corda,  Lift 
up  your  hearts.  Answer.  Habemus  ad  Do- 
minam,  We  have  them  lifted  up  to  the  Lord. 
Priest.  Gratias  agamus  Domino  Deo  nos- 
tra, Let  us  g^ive  thanks  to  the  Lord  our  God. 
Answer,  Dignum  et  justiun  est,  It  is  meet 
and  just.  Then  the  priest  recites  the  pre- 
face (so  called,  because  it  serves  as  aa 
jitroduction  to  the  canon  of  the  Mass.) 

TJie  Preface. 


Vere  dignum  et 
justum  est,  aequum 
et  salutare,  nos  tibi 
semper,  et  ubique 
gratias  agere ;  Do- 


It  is  truly  mee 
and  just,  right,  and 
available  to  salva- 
tion,   that    we    al- 
ways,   and    in   all 


53 


DEVOTIONS  FOR  MASS. 


mine  sancte,  Pater 
omnipotens,  seterne 
Deus ;  qui  cum 
imigenito  Filio  tuo 
et  Spiritu  Sancto 
unus  es  Deus,  unus 
es  Douiinus  ;  non 
in  unius  singulari- 
tate  Pei-soiicB.  sed 
in  unius  Trinitate 
subslaiitia3.  Quod 
enim  de  tua  gloria, 
revelante  te,  credi- 
mus,  hoc  de  Filio 
tuo,  hoc  de  Spiritu 
Sancto,  sine  differ- 
entia discretionis, 
sentimus.  Ut  in 
confessione  verae 
sempiternneque  De- 
itatis,  et  in  Personis 
proprietas,  et  in 
essentia  Unitas,  et 
in  Majestate  ado- 
retur  tcqualitas. 
Quatn  laudant 

Angeli  atque 


places,  give  thanks 
to  thee,  O  holy 
Lord.  Father  Al- 
mighty, eternal 
God ;  who,  with 
thy  only  begotten 
Son  and  the  Holy 
Ghost,  art  one  God, 
and  one  Lord,  not 
in  one  single  per- 
son, but  in  three 
persons  and  one 
substance.  For 
what  we  believe  of 
thy  glory,  as  thou 
hast  revealed  it,  we 
believe  the  same  of 
thy  Son,  and  of  the 
Holy  Ghost,  with- 
out any  difference . 
so  that  in  the  con- 
fession of  one  true 
and  eternal  Deity, 
we  adore  a  distinc- 
tion of  persons,  a 
unity  of  essence, 
and  an  equality  of 


DEVOTIONS  FOR*MASS. 


59 


Archangeli,  Che- 
rubim qiioque  ac 
Seraphim,  qui  non 
cessant  clamare 
quotidie,  una  voce 
dicenles, 

Sanctiis,  sanctus, 
sanclus  Dominus 
Deus  Sabaolh. 

Pleni  sunt  coeli  el 
terra  gloria  tua, 
Hosanna  in  excel- 
sis.  Bcnedictus  qui 
venit  in  nomine 
Domini.  Hosanna 
in  excelsis. 


majesty.  Which 
the  angels  and 
archangels  praise, 
the  Cherubim  and 
Seraphim,  also, 
who  cease  not  to 
cry  out  daily,  say- 
ing, with  one  voice, 
Holy,  holy,  ho- 
ly Lord  God  of 
Sabaoth !  The 

heavens  and  the 
earth  are  full  of  thy 
glory.  Hosanna  in 
the  highest.  Bless- 
ed is  he  that  comes 
in  the  natne  of  the 
Lord.  Hosanna  in 
the  highest. 

After  the  preface  follows  the  canon  of 
(he  Mass,  or  the  most  sacred  and  solemn 
part  of  this  divine  service,  which  is  read 
with  a  low  voice,  as  well  to  express  the 
silence  of  Christ  in  his  passion,  and  his 
concealing  at  that  time  his  glory  and  his 
divinity,  as  to  signify  the  vast  importance 
of  that  common  cause  of  all  mankind, 
which  the  priest  is  then  representing,  as 


fiO  DEVOTIONS  FOR  MASS. 

it  Avere,  in  secret,  to  the  ear  of  God ;  and 
the  reverence  and  awe  with  which  both 
priest  and  people  ought  to  assist  at  these 
tremendous  mysteries. 

The  canon  begins  by  the  invoking  the 
Father  of  mercies,  through  Jesus  Christ 
his  Son,  to  accept  this  sacrifice  for  the 
holy  Catholic  church,  for  the  pope,  for 
the  bishop,  for  the  government,  and  for 
all  the  professors  of  the  orthodox  and 
apostolic  faith  throughout  the  whole 
world.  Then  follows  the  Memento,  oi 
commemoration  of  the  living,  for  whom 
in  particular  the  priest  intends  to  offer  up 
that  Mass,  or  who  have  been  particularly 
recommended  to  his  prayers,  &c.  To 
which  is  subjoined  a  remembrance  of  ail 
there  present,  followed  by  a  solemn  com- 
memoration of  the  blessed  Virgin,  of  the 
apostles,  martyrs,  and  all  the  saints ;  to 
honour  their  memory,  by  naming  them  in 
the  sacred  mysteries,  to  communicate 
with  them,  and  to  beg  their  intercession 
through  Christ  our  Lord.  During  mis 
part  of  the  canon  you  may  pray  thus  : 

JI  Prayer  at  the  beginning  of  the  Canon. 

O  ETERNALand  most  merciful  Father! 
behold,  we  come  to  offer  thee  our 
homage  this  day ;  we  desire  to  adore. 


DEVOTIONS  FOR  MASS.  61 

praise,  and  glorify  thee ;  and  to  give 
thee  thanks  for  thy  great  glory,  joining 
our  hearts  and  voices  with  all  thy 
blessed  in  heaven,  and  with  thy  wl  ole 
church  upon  earth.  But  acknowledg- 
ing our  great  unworthiness  and  innu- 
merable sins,  for  which  we  are  heartily 
sorry,  and  humbly  beg  thy  pardon,  we 
dare  not  approach  thee  otherwise  than 
in  company  with  thy  Son,  our  advocate 
and  mediator,  Jesus  Christ,  whom  thou 
hast  given  us  to  be  both  high-priest 
and  sacrifice.  With  him  therefore,  and 
through  him,  we  venture  to  offer  thee 
this  sacrifice :  to  his  most  sacred  in- 
tentions we  desire  to  unite  ours  :  and 
with  this  ofTering  which  he  makes  of 
himself,  we  desire  to  make  an  offering 
of  our  whole  being  to  thee.  With  him 
and  through  him  we  beseech  thee  to 
'«xalt  thy  holy  Catholic  church  through- 
tout  the  whole  world;  to  maintain  her 
iin  peace,  unity,  holiness  and  truth;  to 
!have  mercy  on  thy  servants,  JV.,  our 
chief  bishop,  JV.,  our  prelate,  and  all 
that  truly  fear  thee;  on  our  parents, 
children,  friends,  and  benefactors,  kc. 


62  DEVOTIONS  FOR  MASS. 

on  all  those  whom  we  have  any  wnys 
scandalized,  injured,  or  offended,  or  for 
whom  we  are  any  other  way  bound  to 
pray ;  on  all  that  are  in  their  a^ony,  or 
under  violent  temptations,  or  other  ne- 
cessities, corporal  or  spiritual ;  on  all 
our  enemies  ;  and,  in  a  word,  on  all 
poor  sinners ;  that  we  may  all  be  con- 
verted to  thee,  and  find  mercy,  through 
Jesus  Christ  thy  Son  :  through  wliom 
we  hope  one  day  to  be  admitted  into 
the  company  of  all  thy  saints  and  elect, 
whose  memory  we  here  celebrate, 
whose  prayers  we  desire,  and  with 
whom  we  communicate  in  these  holy 
mysteries. 

Then  the  priest  spreads  his  hands,  ac- 
cording to  the  ancient  ceremony  of  sacri- 
fices, over  the  bread  and  wine,  which  are 
to  he  consecrated  into  the  body  and 
blood  of  Christ,  and  begs  that  God  would 
accept  of  this  oblation,  which  he  makes 
in  the  name  of  the  whole  church;  and 
that  he  would  grant  us  peace  in  this  life 
and  eternal  salvation  in  the  next.  After 
which  he  solemnly  blesses  the  bread  and 
wine  with  the  sign  of  the  cross,  and  in- 
vokes the  Almighty  that  they  may  be 


DEVOTIONS    FOR  MASS.  63 

made  to  us  the  body  and  blood  of  his 
most  beloved  Son,  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 
And  so  he  proceeds  to  the  consecration, 
(irst  of  the  bread  into  the  body  of  our 
Lord,  and  then  of  the  wine  into  the  blood; 
which  consecration  is  made  by  Christ's 
own  words,  pronounced  in  his  name  and 
person  by  the  priest,  and  is  the  most 
essential  part  of  this  sacrifice ;  because 
thereby  the  body  and  blood  of  Christ  are 
really  (exhibited  and  present  to  God,  and 
Christ  is  mystically  immolated.  Imme- 
diately after  the  consecration  follows  the 
elevation,  first  of  the  host,  then  of  the 
chalice,  in  remembrance  of  Christ's  ele- 
vation upon  the  cross.  At  the  elevation 
of  the  chalice,  the  priest  recites  those 
words  of  Christ :  As  often  as  you  shall  do 
these  tilings,  you  shall  do  them  in  remem- 
brance of  me.  Then  he  goes  on,  making 
a  solemn  commemoration  of  the  passion, 
resurrection,  and  ascension  of  Christ ;  and 
begging  of  God  to  accept  this  sacrifice, 
"as  he  was  pleased  to  accept  the  oblations 
of  Abel,  Abraham,  and  Melchisedech  ;  and 
to  command,  that  it  may,  by  his  holy 
angel,  be  presented  upon  the  altar  above, 
in  presence  of  his  Divine  Majesty,  for 
the  benefit  of  all  those  who  shall  panake 
of  these  mysteries  here  below.  In  the 
mean  time,  you  may  prav  thus: 


64  DEVOTIONS   FOR  MASS. 

A  Prayer  when  the  Priest  spreads  his  handi 
over  the  Oblation. 

We  present  to  thee,  O  Lord !  this 
bread  and  wine,  which  being  composed 
of  many,  reduced  into  one,  are  symbols 
of  concord  and  unity,  that,  by  thy  all- 
powerful  blessing,  they  may  be  made 
for  us  the  precious  body  and  blood  ol 
thy  beloved  Son^  and  that  through 
him,  and  through  his  death  and  passion, 
applied  to  our  souls  by  these  sacred 
mysteries,  we  may  obtain  mercy,  grace, 
and  peace,  in  this  life,  and  eternal  hap- 
piness in  the  next. 

Jit  the  Consecration. 

Make  an  act  of  faith  of  the  real  pre- 
sence of  your  Saviour's  body  and  bloody 
soul  and  divinity,  under  the  sacramental 
veils.  OlTer  your  whole  self  to  him,  and 
through  him  to  his  Father.  Beg  that 
your  heart  and  soul  may  be  happily 
changed  into  him. 

At  the  Elevation. 

Contemplate  with  the  eyes  of  your 
soul,  your  Saviour  elevated  upon  the 
cross  for  you.     Bow  down  all  the  powers 


DEVOTIONS  FOR  MASS.  65 

of  your  soul  to  adore  him ;  and  beg  thai 
he  would  draw  all  hearts  to  himselE 

A  Prayer  after  the  Elevation. 

Look  down,  now,  O  Lord !  we 
beseech  thee,  upon  this  sacred  victim, 
which  was  once  offered  to  thee  upon 
the  cross,  and  is  now  daily  offered  to 
thee.  Remember  that  thy  only  begot- 
ten Son,  for  us  poor  sinners,  was  con- 
ceived and  was  born  in  this  world  ■ 
that  for  us  he  suffered  a  bitter  agony 
and  sweat  of  blood ;  for  us  he  was  be- 
trayed into  the  hands  of  sinners,  buffeted, 
spit  upon,  and  many  ways  abused  ;  for 
us  he  was  scourged  at  a  pillar,  crowned 
with  thorns,  and  nailed  to  a  cross  5  for 
us  he  died,  and  for  us  he  triumphed 
over  death  by  his  resurrection,  and  he 
opened  heaven  for  us  by  his  ascension 
We  desire  gratefully  to  commemorate 
all  these  mysteries  this  day,  in  the 
oblation  of  this  pure  and  holy  sacrifice. 
0 !  look  not  on  our  sins,  but  on  the 
infinite  ransom  paid  for  them.  And 
whilst  we  ofler  it  here  below  upon  oui 
altars,  do  thou  receive  it  upon  thy  altai 
above  from  the  hands  of  the  angel  of 
5 


66  DEVOTIONS  FOR  MASS. 

the  great  council,  the  eternal  priest, 
and  from  thence  send  down  thy  bless- 
ing upon  us  all,  who  here  below  assist 
at  these  divine  mysteries,  through  the 
same  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen, 

Then  the  priest  proceeds  to  the  Me- 
mento, or  commemoration  of  the  dead, 
saying,  Remember,  also,  O  Lord!  thy 
servants,  N.  and  N.,  who  are  gone  before  its 
with  the  sig*/i  of  faith,  and  repose  in  the 
sleep  of  peace;  praying  for  all  the  faithful 
departed  in  general,  and,  in  particular, 
for  those  for  whom  he  intends  to  offer 
diis  sacrifice.  Do  you  the  same ;  and 
during  this  Memento,  recommend  in  par- 
ticular to  God's  mercy,  through  Jesus 
Christ's  death  and  passion,  the  souls  of 
your  relations,  friends,  &c.,  such  as  are 
lately  dead,  or  have  been  particularly  re- 
commended to  your  prayers;  all  such  as 
you  have  any  ways  injured  or  to  whom 
you  have  been  an  occasion  of  sin;  such 
as  are  in  the  greatest  want  of  prayers,  or 
have  none  to  pray  for  them:  in  fine,  all 
such  as  God  would  have  you  particularly 
to  pray  for,  and  conclude  with  the  priest: 
To  tlvcm,  O  Lord !  and  to  all  that  rest  in 
Christ,  grant,  we  beseech  tliee,  a  place  of 
refreshment,  light  and  peace,  through  tJie 
same  Christ  our  Lord.    Amen. 


DEVOTIONS  FOR  MASS.  67 

After  this  Memento,  or  commemoration 
of  the  dead,  the  priest,  raismg  his  voice  a 
little,  and  striking  his  breast,  says,  A'ohis 
qiioque  peccatorihm,  See,  And  to  us  also 
sinners,  Sec,  humbly  craving  mercy  and 
pardon  for  our  sins,  and  to  be  admitted  to 
Bome  part  and  society  with  the  apostles 
and  martyrs,  through  Jesus  Christ.  Then 
kneeling  down,  and  taking  the  sacred  host 
in  his  hands,  he  makes  the  sign  of  the 
cross  with  it  over  the  chalice,  saying. 
Through  him,  and  tvith  him,  and  m  him, 
is  to  thee,  0  God  the  Father  omnipotent, 
in  the  unity  of  the  Holy  GJiost,  all  honor 
and  glory;  which  last  words  he  pro- 
nounces, elevating  a  little  the  host  and 
chaUce  from  the  altar,  and  then  kneels 
down,  saying,  with  a  loud  voice.  Per 
omnia  scecula  scecuhnim.  For  ever  and  ever. 
Answ.  Amen.  After  which  he  recites 
aloud  the  Pater  A'oster,  or  hordes  Prayer; 
the  clerk  answering  at  the  end,  Sed  libera 
nos  a  malo.  But  deliver  us  from  evil.  In 
-  the  mean  time  you  may  pray  thus  : 

A  Prayer  at  the  A^obis  quoque  Peccatorihus, 

We  humbly  implore  thy  mercy,  O 
Lord!  for  ourselves  also.  We  beg 
pardon  for  all  our  sins ;  we  desire  to 
detest  them,  and  to  renounce  them  for 


68  DEVOTIONS  FOR  MASS. 

ever.  All  our  hope  is  in  the  multitude 
of  thy  tender  mercies,  from  which  we 
confidently  expect  forgiveness,  through 
Jesus  Christ,  and  to  be  one  day,  through 
him,  admitted  into  the  company  of  the 
blessed  apostles  and  martyrs  in  thy 
heavenly  paradise.  In  the  mean  time, 
we  desire  to  offer  thee  daily,  through 
him,  all  honor  and  glory. 

At  the  Pater  Noster,  join  with  the  priest 
in  that  sacred  prayer . 


Pater  nosier,  qui 
es  in  ccelis  -,  sancti- 
ficetur  nomen  tuum. 
Adveniat  regnum 
tuum.  Fiat  volun- 
tas tua  sicut  in  ccelo 
el  in  terra.  Panem 
nostrum  quotidia- 
num  da  nobis  hodie. 
Et  dimitle  nobis  de- 
bita  nostra,  sicut  et 
nos  diraittimus  debi- 
toribus  nostris.  Et 
ne  nos  inducas  in 
tentalionem.  R.  Sed 
hbera  nos  a  malo. 
P.  Jlmcn. 


Our  Father,  who 
art  in  heaven,  hal- 
lowed be  thy  name^ 
Thy  kingdom  come. 
Thy  will  be  done  on 
earth  as  it  is  in  hea- 
ven. Give  us  this 
day  our  daily  brearl 
And  forgive  us  our 
trespasses,  as  we 
forgive  them  thai 
trespass  against  us. 
And  lead  us  not  into 
temptation;  but  de- 
liver us  from  evil. 


I 


DEVOTIONS  FOR  MASS.  69 

After  this,  the  priest  breaks  the  Host 
f^er  the  chalice,  in  remembrance  of 
Christ's  body  being  broken  for  us  upon 
the  cross :  and  he  puts  a  small  particle 
of  the  Host  into  the  chalice,  praying  that 
tlie  peace  of  the  Lord  may  be  always  with 
us.  Then  kneeling  down,  and  rising  up 
again,  he  says,  Agnus  Dei,  8cc.  Lamb  of 
God,  who  takest  away  the  sins  of  the  world, 
have  mercy  on  us.  He  repeals  this  thrice ; 
but  at  the  third  time,  instead  of  have  merey 
on  us,  he  says,  g^-ant  us  peace.  After  the 
Agnus  Dei,  the  priest  says  three  short 
prayers,  by  way  of  preparation  for  re- 
ceiving the  blessed  sacrament;  then  kneel- 
ing down  and  rising  again,  he  takes  up 
the  Host,  and  striking  his  breast,  says 
thrice,  Domine,  noii  sum  dignus,  &c..  Lord, 
lam  not  ivorthy  tlmt  thou  shouldst  enter 
under  my  roof,  hut  only  say  the  word,  and 
my  sold  shall  be  healed.  After  Avhich  he 
makes  the  sign  of  the  cross  upon  himself 
with  the  Host,  saying.  The  body  of  oitr 
Lord  Jesus  Chiist  presei-ve  my  soul  to  life 
everlasting.  Amen.  And  so  he  receives  it. 
Then,  after  a  short  pause  in  mental  prayer, 
he  proceeds  to  the  receiving  of  the  chalice, 
using  the  like  words.  The  blood  of  our 
Loi'd  Jesus  Cluist  preserve  my  soid  to  life 
tvexlasting.    Amen.     Then  follows    the 


70  DEVOTIONS  FOR  MASS. 

communion  of  the  people,  if  any  are  to 
receive. 

Tiie  devotion  most  proper  for  the  peo- 
ple, from  the  Pater  M)ster  till  after  the 
priest's  communion,  is  to  make  during 
that  time  a  spiritual  communion;  first, 
by  a  lively  faith  of  the  real  presence,  ia 
the  blessed  sacrament,  of  the  Lamb  of 
God  slain  for  our  sins,  and  of  the  abun 
dance  of  graces  which  he  brings  with 
him,  to  such  as  receive  him  worthily. 
Secondly ,  by  an  ardent  desire  of  partaking 
of  this  life-giving  food.  Thirdly,  by  hanh 
blij  acknowledging,  and  heartily  bewail- 
ing their  unworthiness  and  sins,  wnich 
hinder  them  from  daring  to  approach  this 
heavenly  table.  Fourthly,  by  inflamed 
affections  of  love,  aspiring  after  Jesus 
Christ,  and  an  eternal  union  with  him, 
inviting  him  to  come,  at  least  spiritually, 
and  take  full  possession  of  all  the  powers 
of  their  souls,  and  to  give  them  a  large 
share  in  those  graces  which  he  usually 
bestows  on  the  Avorthy  communicant,  &c. 
This  is  a  devotion  which  may  be  made 
with  great  profit,  not  only  as  often  as  a 
person  hears  Mass,  but  at  any  other  hour 
in  the  day,  and  the  oftener  the  better. 
You  may,  if  you  please,  make  use  oi 
this  form. 


DEVOTIONS  FOR  MASS.  71 

A  Sinritual  Communion. 

O  MY  sweet  Saviour  Jesus  Christ, 
thou  who  art  my  sovereign  Good,  the 
Fountain  of  all  goodness,  my  God  and 
my  all,  I  most  firmly  believe,  that  for 
us  sinners,  and  for  our  salvation,  thou 
wast  pleaged  to  come  down  from  hea- 
ven, to  take  upon  thee,  by  the  mystery 
of  thy  incarnation,  our  human  nature, 
md  to  become  one  of  us,  that  so  thou 
mightest  be  our  high-priest  and  our 
victim.  I  most  firmly  believe  that  thou 
jfleredst  thyself  upon  the  cross,  a  sa- 
crifice for  us  all,  after  having  suiTered 
5nany  cruel  torments  for  us;  and  that, 
by  thy  glorious  resurrection  and  ad- 
mirable ascension,  thou  hast  opened 
die  gates  of  heaven  for  us.  I  most 
firmly  believe,  that  in  these  sacred 
mysteries  thou  art  truly  and  really  pre- 
sent, and  that  thy  sacred  body  and 
blood  are  here  oflered  up  in  sacrifice, 
and  verily  and  indeed  received  by  the 
faithful  in  remembrance  of  thy  death. 
0  how  happy  are  those  souls  who 
worthily  receive  thee  in  this  divine 
sacrament!     O  what  graces,  what  sane- 


72  DEVOTIONS  FOR  >IASS. 

tity  do  they  receive  from  this  fountain 
of  all  holiness!  O  that  I  were  so 
happy  as  to  be  worthy  to  approach 
this  day  thy  heavenly  banquet,  and  to 
feed  on  the  food  of  life,  the  bread  of 
angels !  But,  alas !  I  am  the  most 
wretched  of  all  sinners,  who,  from  my 
first  coming  to  the  use  of  reason,  to 
this  hour,  have  innumerable  ways  of- 
fended thee,  my  God.  My  soul  is 
overspread  with  a  universal  leprosy, 
covered  on  all  sides  with  ulcers,  and  is 
unclean  and  filthy  beyond  measure; 
and  therefore  infinite-ly  unworthy  to 
approach  the  Lord  of  all  purity  and 
sanctity.  In  this  lamentable  state  that 
I  am  in,  I  dare  not  so  much  as  look 
up  towards  thy  altar,  much  less  ap- 
proach it :  but,  with  eyes  and  heart  cast 
down,  and  with  a  deep  sense  of  my 
manifold  treasons,  and  great  unworthi- 
ness,  I  humbly  beg  pardon  of  thee  for 
all  my  sins,  and  implore  thy  mercy. 
O  Fountain  of  mercy,  have  compassion 
on  me,  and  suffer  me  at  least  to  sigh 
after  thee,  and  though  I  am  unworthy 
of  lliy  embraces,  permit  me,  like  tlie 


DEVOTIONS  FOR  MASS.  73 

penitent  Magdalen,  to  present  myself 
at  least  at  thy  feet,  and  wash  them  in 
spirit  with  my  tears  I  O  may  thy 
%'acred  blood,  which  thou  hast  shed  for 
ell  sinners,  cleanse  my  poor  soul  this 
day  from  all  its  filth  !  O  come  to  me, 
dear  Lord,  in  spirit,  and  take  possession 
of  all  the  powers  of  my  soul !  Re- 
collect my  memory  to  thee,  enlighten 
my  understanding,  and  inflame  my  will 
with  thy  love.  O  let  me  be  thine,  and 
thou  mine,  from  henceforth  and  for 
ever;  and  grant  that  nothing  in  life  or 
death  may  ever  separate  me  from  thee 
any  more.  In  this  one  prayer,  hear 
me,  O  Lord ;  and  in  all  things  else  do 
with  me  what  thou  wilt. 

After  the  communion,  the  priest  takes 
the  lotions  or  abhitions  of  wine  and  water, 
into  the  chaKce,  in  order  to  consume 
whatever  may  remain  of  the  consecrated 
epecies.  Then  covering  the  chahce,  he 
goes  to  the  book,  and  reads  a  versicle  of 
holy  scripture,  called  the  communion; 
e.fler  which  he  turns  about  to  the  people 
with  the  usual  salutation,  Domimis  vohis- 
cum;  and  turning  to  the  book  reads  the 
coilectSj  or  prayers,  called  The  post  com- 


74  DEVOTIONS  FOR  MASS. 

nmnioii.  After  which  he  again  greets  the 
people  with  Domimis  vobiscum,  and  gives 
them  leave  to  depart  with  Ite  inissa  esL 
The  clerk  answering,  Deo  gratias,  Tlmnks 
he,  to  God.  Then  the  priest,  bowing  down 
before  the  altar,  makes  a  short  prayer  to 
tlie  blessed  Trinity,  and  turning  about  to 
tiie  people,  gives  his  blessing  to  them  all 
in  the  name  of  the  blessed  Trinity.  The 
mass  is  concluded  by  reading  the  begin- 
ning of  the  Gospel  according  to  St.  John, 
which  the  people  here  standing,  till  these 
words,  Et  Verhwn  caro  factum  est,  Jlnd 
the  Word  was  made  flesh;  when  both  priest 
and  people  kneel  down,  in  reverence  to 
tlie  mystery  of  Christ's  incarnation.  At 
the  end,  the  clerk  answers,  Deo  gratias. 
Thanks  be  to  God.  After  this  tlie  priest, 
retires  from  the  altar  to  the  sacristy,  and 
unvests  himself,  reciting  in  the  mean  time, 
the  benedicUe,  or  the  canticle  of  the  three 
children,  inviting  all  creatures  in  heaven 
and  earth  to  praise  and  bless  the  Lord. 
After  the  communion  of  the  priest,  yoi; 
may  pray  as  follows : 

A  Prayer  after  the  Communion. 

I RETURX  thee  now  most  hearty  thanks 
O  my  God!  through  Jesus  Christ  thy 
Son,  thai  thou  hast  been  pleased  to  d(w 


DEVOTIONS  FOR  MASS.  75 

liver  him  up  to  death  for  iis^  and  to 
^ve  us  his  body  and  blood,  both  as  a 
sacrament  and  sacrilice  in  these  holy 
mysteries,  at  which  thou  hast  permit- 
ted me,  a  most  unworthy  sinner,  to 
assist  this  day.  May  all  heaven  and 
earth  bless  and  praise  thee  foi  ever,  for 
all  thy  mercy.  O!  pardon  me,  dear 
Lord !  all  my  distractions,  and  the 
many  neglects  which  I  have  been  guilty 
of  this  day  in  thy  sight ;  and  let  nie 
not  depart  without  thy  benediction. 
Behold,  1  desire  from  this  moment  to 
give  up  myself,  and  all  that  belongs  to 
me,  into  thy  hands,  and  beg  that  all 
my  undertakings,  all  my  thoughts^ 
words  and  actions,  may  henceforward 
tend  to  thy  glory,  through  the  same 
Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 

Tim  beginning  of  the  Gospel  of  St.  John. 

In  the  beo;inninor  was  the  Word  and 
the  Word  was  with  God,  and  the  Word 
was  God.  This  was  in  the  beginning 
with  God.  All  things  were  made  by 
him,  and  without  him  was  made  no- 
thing that  was  made.     In  him  was  life, 


76  DEVOTIONS  FOR  MASS. 

and  the  life  was  the  light  of  men,  ant! 
the  light  shineth  in  darkness,  and  the 
darkness  did  not  comprehend  it.  There 
was  a  man  sent  from  God,  whose  name 
was  John.  This  man  came  for  a  wit- 
ness to  bear  witness  of  the  light,  that 
all  might  believe  through  him.  He 
was  not  the  light,  but  to  bear  witness 
of  the  Ywht  That  was  the  true  light 
which  enlightens  every  man  that  cometh 
into  this  world.  He  was  in  the  world, 
and  the  world  was  made  by  him,  and 
tlie  world  knew  him  not.  He  came 
unto  his  own,  and  liis  own  received 
him  not.  But  as  many  as  received 
him,  he  gave  to  them  power  to  become 
the  sons  of  God  ;  to  them  who  believe 
in  his  name,  who  are  born  not  of  blood, 
nor  of  the  will  of  the  flesh,  nor  of  the 
will  of  man,  but  of  God  :  and  the  loord 
was  made  jlesh^  and  dwelt  among  us 
And  we  saw  his  glory,  the  glory  as  of 
the  only  begotten  of  the  Father,  full 
of  grace  and  truth. 

Method  of  hearing  Mass  spiritually  for  tlie 
absent. 

It    often    happens,    that    Christians, 


DEVOTIONS  FOR  MASS.  77 

through  distance  of  place,  indisposition, 
or  other  unavoidable  impediments,  are 
hindered  from  being  present  at  the  great 
sacrifice  of  the  Mass.  In  these  cases,  it 
is  proper  they  should  endeavour  to  assist 
thereat,  at  least  in  spirit,  which  may  be 
done,  with  great  fruit  to  their  souls,  in 
this  manner. 

Let  them  choose  a  proper  time  in  the 
morning  and  by  themselves,  (or,  if  they 
have  a  family,  summoning  them  together,) 
go  into  their  oratory,  and  there  present 
themselves  in  spirit  before  the  altar  of 
God.  Having  bewailed  their  misfortune, 
in  being  kept  at  a  distance  from  these 
heavenly  mysteries,  let  them  join  them- 
selves in  heart  and  affection  with  all  who 
are  offering  this  sacrifice  to  God  at  that 
time,  representing  more  particularly  to 
themselves  that  Mass  which  is  then  of- 
fered in  the  place  where  they  commonly 
hear  Mass;  and  applying  themselves  to 
the  same  devotions  they  commonly  use 
in  time  of  hearing  Mass. 

Thus,  for  example :  at  the  confiteor,  let 
them  confess  their  sins,  with  a  hearty  re- 
pentance ;  at  the  Kyrie  Eleison,  let  them 
cry  out  to  God  for  mercy ;  at  the  Gloria 
m  excelsis,  let  them  give  adoration  and 
glory  to  God  j  at  the  collects,  let  them  re- 
commend to    him    their  own  and    the 


78  INSTRUCTIONS,  ETC. 

diurch's  necessities ;  at  the  Epistle  and 
Gospel,  let  them,  beg  God's  grace,  that 
they  may  conform  their  lives  to  his  holy 
word.  Let  them  thus  accommodate  their 
devotion  to  all  the  other  parts  of  the 
Mass;  remembering  always  the/owrz?i- 
tentions  of  the  sacrifice,  the  passion  of 
Christ,  and  a  spij-Uual  commwiion  ;  uniting 
themselves  in  every  part  of  this  sacrifice 
to  Jesus  Christ,  and  offering  themselves 
to  God  with  him  and  through  him. 

INSTRUCTIONS  AND  DEVOTIONS 
FOR  CONFESSION. 

In  order  to  prepare  yourself  to  make  a 
good  confession,  endeavour,  in  the  first 
place,  to  recommend  the  matter  earnestly 
to  God ;  and,  for  some  days  beforehand, 
frequently  and  fervently  beg  his  divine 
grace  and  assistance ;  and  this  more  espe- 
cially, if  you  have,  for  a  long  time,  lived 
in  the  habit  of  sin :  in  which  case,  it  is 
most  proper  to  prepare  yourself  by  a 
spiritual  retreat  for  some  days,  durin^f 
which  time  you  may  seriously  enter  into 
yourself. 

Examine  your  conscience  with  care 
and  diligence,  yet  without  too  much 
anxiety  and  scrupulosity.  Consult  the 
table  of  sins,  to  help  your  memory ;  and 


INSTRUCTIONS,  ETC.  79 

leflect,  in  particular,  on  the  evil  inclina 
tions  you  are  most  subject  to,  on  the 
places  and  companies  you  have  been  in, 
on  your  usual  employments,  on  the  duties 
of  your  calling,  and  how  you  have  dis- 
charged them,  &,c. 

When  you  have  duly  examined  your 
conscience,  do  not  think  that  this  is  all 
)  ou  have  to  do,  in  order  to  be  well  pre- 
pared for  confession.  The  greatest  part 
of  the  work  remains  still  to  be  done  5  and 
that  is,  to  take  proper  time  and  care  to 
procure  a  hearty  sorrow  and  detestation 
of  all  your  sins,  by  which  you  have  of- 
fended so  good  a  God,  with  a  full  deter- 
mination, with  the  grace  of  God,  to  avoid 
the  hke  sins  for  the  future. 

In  order  to  obtain  this  hearty  sorrow 
for  your  sins,  and  this  firm  purpose  of 
amendment,  you  must  earnestly  beg  it  of 
God,  whose  gift  it  is :  and  you  must  make 
use  of  such  prayers,  considerations,  and 
meditations,  as  may  be  most  proper  to 
move  you  to  it.  Particularly  reflect  on 
the  four  last  things,  on  the  enormity  of 
sin,  on  the  goodness  of  God,  and  his 
benefits  to  you,  on  the  death  and  passion 
of  Christ,  &c. 

If  you  have  any  thing  upon  your  con- 
science, which  you  have  a  particular 
difficulty  of  confessing,  cease  not,  wit^ 


80  INSTRUCTIONS,  ETC. 

prayers  and  tears,  to  importune  your 
heavenly  Father  to  assist  you  in  this  re- 
gard, till  he  gives  you  the  grace  to  over- 
come that  difficulty;  and  be  sure  never  to 
go  to  confession  with  a  design  of  telling 
a  lie  to  the  Holy  Ghost. 

Let  your  confession  be  humble,  with- 
out seeking  excuses  for  your  sins,  oi 
throwing  the  fault  on  others.  Let  it  be 
entire,  as  to  the  kind  and  number  of  your 
sins,  and  such  circumstances  as  quite 
change  the  nature  of  the  sin,  or  notori- 
ously aggravate  it.  Be  modest  in  youi 
expressions,  and  take  care  not  to  name 
any  third  person. 

xQ.  Prayer  to  implore  the  Divine  asslstanc*, 
in  order  to  make  a  good  confession. 

O  ALMIGHTY  and  most  merciful 
God!  who  hast  made  me  out  of  no- 
thing, and  redeemed  me  by  the  precious 
blood  of  thy  only  Son — who  hast,  with 
so  much  patience  borne  with  me  to 
this  day,  notwithstanding  all  my  sins 
and  ingratitude;  ever  calling  after  me 
to  return  to  thee  from  the  ways  of 
vanity  and  iniquity,  in  which  I  have 
been  quite  wearied  out  in  the  pursuit 
of    empty   toys   and   mean   shadows; 


I>-STRUCT10NS,  ETC.  81 

seeking  in  vain  to  satisfy  my  tliirst  with 
muddy  waters,  and  my  hunger  with 
husks,  like  swine :  behold,  O  most 
gracious  Lord!  I  now  sincerely  desire 
to  leave  all  these  my  evil  ways,  to  for- 
sake this  region  of  death,  where  I  have 
so  long  lost  myself,  and  to  return  to 
thee,  the  fountain  of  life.  I  desire,  like 
the  prodigal  child,  to  enter  seriously 
into  myself,  and,  with  the  like  resolu- 
tions, to  rise  without  delay,  and  go 
home  to  my  Father,  though  I  am  infi- 
nitely unworthy  to  be  called  his  child, 
in  hopes  of  meeting  with  the  like  re- 
ception from  his  most  tender  mercy.  I 
know,  thou  desirest  not  the  death  of  a 
sinner,  but  ^that  he  may  be  converted 
and  live.  I  knoTfHhy  mercies  are  above 
all  thy  works :  and  I  most  confidently 
hope,  that  as  in  thy  mercy  thou  hast 
spared  me  so  long,  and  hast  now  given 
me  this  desire  of  returning  to  thee;  so 
thou  wilt  finish  the  work  thou  hast 
begun,  and  bring  me  to  a  perfect  recon- 
ciliation with  thee. 

I    desire  now  to  comply  with    thy-- 
holy  institution  of  the  sacrament   of 
6 


82  INSTRUCTIONS,  ETC.    * 

penance.  I  desire  to  confess  my  si»« 
with  all  sincerity,  to  thee,  and  to  thy 
minister,  and  therefore  I  desire  to  know 
myself,  and  to  call  myself  to  an  account 
by  a  diligent  examination  of  my  con- 
Bcience. 

But,  O  my  good  God !  what  will  it 
ivail  me  to  know  my  sins,  if  thou  dost 
not  also  give  me  a  hearty  sorrow  and 
repentance  for  them  ?  Without  this, 
my  sins  will  be  all  against  me  still,  and 
1  shall  be  still  thy  enemy  and  a  child 
of  hell.  Thou  insistest  upon  a  change 
of  heart,  without  which  there  can  be 
no  reconciliation  with  thee :  and  this 
change  of  heart  none  but  thou  can 
give.  O  give  it  me  then,  dear  Lord,  at 
this  time.  Give  me  a  lively  faith,  and 
a  firm  hope,  in  the  passion  of  my  Re- 
deemer. Teach  me  to  fear  thee,  and 
to  love  thee.  Give  me,  for  thy  mercies' 
sake,  a  hearty  sorrow  for  having  of- 
fended so  good  a  God. 

O  blessed  Virgin,  mother  of  my  Re- 
deemer, mirror  of  innocence  and  sanc- 
tity, a^id  refuge  of  penitent  sinners, 
intercede  for  me  through  the  passion 


INSTRUCTIONS^  ETC.  83 

of  thy  Son,  that  I  may  obtain  the  grace 
to  make  a  good  confession.  O  all  you 
blessed  angels  and  saints  of  God  !  pray 
for  me,  a  most  miserable  sinner,  that  I 
may  now  efTectually  turn  from  my  evil 
ways,  that  my  heart  may  henceforward 
be  for  ever  united  with  yours  in  eternal 
love,  and  never  more  go  astray  from 
the  Sovereign  Good.     Jiimn. 

AN  EXAMINATION 

OF 

THE  TEN   COiDIANDMENTS. 

I.  Commandment. 

Given  to  any  creature  the  honour  due 
only  to  God. 

Not  loved  God  above  all  things. 

Arrogated  to  myself  any  part  of  the 
glory  in  any  action,  and  not  given  all  to 
God. 

Borne  overmuch  love  to  creatures. 

Doubted  in  matters  of  faith. 

Ignorant  of  the  creed^  the  ten  command- 
mentSj  or  the  precepts  of  the  church. 

Murmured  against  God  for  my  owa 
adversity,  or  prosperity  of  others. 

Wanted  confidence  in  God. 

Presumed  on  his  goodness. 


84  THE  TEN  COMMANDMENTS. 

Despaired  of  his  mercy. 

Believed  dreams  or  teller?  of  fortunes, 

Gone  to  witches  or  cunning  men  foi 
counsel,  for  the  recovery  of  things  lost. 

Used  charms,  or  superstitious  words, 
or  actions,  for  the  cure  of  diseases,  or  any 
thing  else. 

Given  any  scandal. to  heretics,  or  fa- 
voured their  heresy. 

Hindered  any  one's  conversion  from 
heiesv  or  schism. 

recommended  myself  daily  \o  God 

Ndf^pn formed  my  will  in  all  things  to 
the  div^fe,.Avill. 

Commandment. 

Taken  t|ie  name  of  God  in  vain. 

Blasphsffiiied  God  or  his  saints. 

Spoken  irreverently  of  holy  things,  or 
profaned  any  thing  relating  to  religion. 

Sworn  falsely,  or,  rashly  for  any  trivial 
matters.  ■' 

Cursed  myself  or  others,  or  any  crea 
tures. 

Broken  my  vows.  » 

Angered  others  so  far  as  to  make  thera 
swear  or  blaspheme  God. 

III.  Commandment. 

Not  kept  holy  the  Lord's  day,  and  other 
days  commanded  to  be  kept. 


THE  TEN  COMMANDMENTS.  85 

Bought  or  sold  things  not  of  necessity 
OTi  that  day. 

Done  or  commanded  some  servile  work. 
Dot  of  necessity. 

Not  heard  Mass,  or  been  willingly  dis- 
tracted in  the  time  of  Mass. 

Talked,  gazed,  or  laughed  in  the  church. 

Not  cared  to  hear  Catholic  sermons. 

Spent  the  day  in  dancing,  drinking, 
sards,  &c. 

Omitted  saying  my  morning  and  even- 
ing prayers  or  other  devotions. 

IV.  Commandment. 

Not  honoured  my  parents,  superiors, 
masters,  or  betters,  every  one  according 
to  my  just  duty.  Despised  them.  Spoke 
evil  of  them.  Cursed  them.  Murmured 
against  them.  Not  prayed  for  them.  De- 
ceived them.  Disobeyed  them.  Not  suc- 
coured my  parents.  Been  ashamed  of 
them.  Made  them  sa(\.  Not  used  reve- 
rence to  aged  persons.  Mocked  or  jested 
at  them. 

V.  Commandment. 

Procured,  desired,  or  hastened  the  death 
of  myself  or  others. 

Borne  hatred.  Oppressed  any.  Desired 
revenge.  Not  forgiven.  Refused  to  speak 
to   others.     Given   provoking  language. 


8a  THE  TEN  COMMANDMENTS. 

Threatened,  or  struck  others,  not  uudei 
my  charge.     Made  others  quarrel. 

VI.  Commandment. 

Committed  adukery,  fornication,  or  m- 
cest.  Procured  pollution  in  one's  self  oi 
others.  Wanton  words,  looks,  or  gestures^ 
Lascivious  dressing,  colours,  or  painting. 
Lewd  company.  Lascivious  balls,  or  ro- 
veilings.  Dishonest  books.  Unchaste 
songs.  Kissing,  or  unchaste  discourses. 

VII.  Commandment. 

Stealth,  cozenage,  deceit,  in  gaming, 
reckoning,  buying,  or  selling ;  in  wares, 
prices,  or  weights. 

Bought  of  such  as  could  not  justly  selL 
Taken  of  such  as  could  not  justly  give. 
Wilfully  damaged  another  man's  goods. 
Negligently  spoiled  them.  Run  into  debts 
carelessly  beyond  my  power,  or  without 
purpose  of  payment.  Vexeu  uiners  by 
unjust  lawsuits.  Not  paid  my  debts.  Not 
fulfilled  my  promises.  Kept  that  "which 
ought  to  be  restored. 

VIII.  Commandment. 

Borne  false  witness.  Called  injurious 
names.  Uttered  another's  secret  sins. 
Flattered  myself  or  others.  Believed  false 
reports  of  oliiHra.  Not  defended  their  good 


THE  TEN  COMMANDMENTS. 


87 


name.  Sowed  discord.  Opened  others' 
letters.  Judged  rashly.  Falsely  suspected. 
Too  much  disturbed.  Listened  to  others. 
Talked  with  an  evil  design.  Concealed 
the  truth,  to  the  detriment  of  others. 

IX.  QBmmandment. 

Inward  concupiscence  of  the  flesh,  that 
passes  no  farther  than  the  mind ;  as  de- 
siring, or  willingly  taking  pleasure  in 
thinking  of  those  things  which  are  forbid- 
den to  be  done  in  the  sixth  commandment, 

X.  Commandment. 

Coveted  any  thing   belonging   to    an 
other;  not  contented  with  what  God  has 
given,  me.     Greedy  of  growing  rich. 

ON  THE  SEVEN  DEADLY  SINS. 
I.  Fride. 

Pride.  Vain-glory.  Ambition.  Super 
fluity.  Presumption.' Vanity.  Hypocrisy. 
Flattery.  Dissimulation.  Obstinacy..  Cu- 
riosity. Flouting,  or  scoffing.  Contempt 
of  others. 

II.  Covetovsness. 

CovETOusNEss.  Niggardliness.  Gree 
diness.  Without  pity.  Not  given  alms, 
hsvL^ig  whe'-ewithal.     Not  lent  to  some 


88  SEVEN  DEADLY  SINS. 

in  need.  Not  contented  with  my  own 
state. 

III.  Luxury,  or  Lust. 

Of  the  sins  of  luxury,  see  under  he 
Sixth  commandment.     ^ 

IV.  Anger. 

Anger.  Impatience.  Hastiness.  Rage 
or  fury.  Disdainfulness.  Waywardness. 
Fretfulness.  Disconlentedness.  Picking 
of  quarrels.  Immoderate  grieving.  Severe 
correcting. 

V.  Gluttony. 

Gluttony.  Drunkenness.  Delicate 
dishes.  Eating  more  than  one  meal  on 
fasting  days.  Eating  flesh  on  prohibited 
days.  Banqueted  and  feasted  above  my 
ability.     Intemperate  feeding. 

VI.  Envy. 

^  Envy.  Grieved  at  others'  prosperity, 
or  to  hear  them  well  spoken  of  Rejoiced 
at  their  hurt.  Dispraised  their  merchan- 
dise. Interpreted  their  doings  or  sayings 
in  the  worst  sense. 

VII.  Sloth. 

Sloth,  Indevotion.  Drowsiness,  or 
s(eepuiess.     Idleness,  or  laziness.     Over- 


SEVEN  DEADLY  S^-S.  89 

much  seeking  ray  own  ease.  Inconstant 
in  good  purposes.  Neglected  things  given 
me  in  charge.  Ungrateful  to  God  for  his 
benefits.  Unthankful  to  my  friends  and 
benefactors.  Chosen  rather  to  want,  than 
to  work  or  labour  for  my  living.  Not 
prayed  for  the  faithful  souls  departed. 

In  all  which  we  not  only  sin  ourselves, 
but  al50  become  accessory  to  another's 
fin;  either  by  commanding,  counselling, 
consenting,  or  approving;  by  not  endea- 
vouring to  hinder;  by  not  admonishing; 
and,  lastly,  by  evil  example. 

Jl  Prayer  for  ohtaining  Contrition. 

I  HAVE  now,  here  before  me,  O  Lord  ! 
a  sad  prospect  of  the  manifold  offences 
by  which  I  have  displeased  thy  divine 
fllajesty,  and  which,  I  am  assured,  will 
appear  in  judgment  against  me,  if  I  re- 
pent not,  and  my  soul  be  not  disposed, 
by  a  hearty  sorrow,  to  receive  thy  par- 
don. But  this  sorrow,  O  Lord !  this 
repentance  must  be  thy  free  gift ;  and 
and  if  it  comes  not  from  the  hand  of 
thy  mercy,  all  my  endeavours  will  be 
vam,  and  I  shall  be  for  ever  miserable. 
Have  mercy,  therefore,  on  me,  O  Father 
of  mercies!  and   pour  forth   into  my 


90     MEDITATION  BEFORE  COXFESSIOT*. 

heart  thy  grace,  whereby  I  may  sin- 
cerely repent  me  of  all  my  sins ;  give 
me  a  true  contrition,  that  1  may  bewail 
my  past  misery  and  ingratitude,  and 
grieve  from  my  heart  for  having  of- 
fended thee,  so  good  a  God.  Permit 
me  not  to  be  deluded  with  a  false  sor- 
row, as  I  fear  I  have  been  too  often, 
through  my  own  weakness  and  neglect: 
but  let  it  be  now  thy  gift  descending 
from  thee,  O  Father  of  lights!  that  so 
my  repentance  may  be  accompanied 
with  an  amendment  and  change  of  life, 
and  I  may  be  acquitted  of  all  my  sins, 
and  once  more  received  into  the  num- 
ber of  thy  servants;  through  Jesus 
Cliiist  our  Lord.     Amen. 

Meditation  before  confession,  in  order  to 
excite  in  the  soid  a  hearty  sorrow  for 
having  offended  God. 

Consider,  first.  My  soul,  that  God  is 
hy  first  beginning,  from  whom  thou  hasl 
received  thy  Avhole  being;  that  he  has 
made  thee  ibr  himself,  and  for  a  happy 
eternity;  and  sent  thee  into  this  world,  to 
the  end,  that,  by  loving  and  serving  him, 
thou  mightest  iiierit  this  happy  eternity. 


MEDITATION  BEFORE   CONFESSION.     91 

Consider,  secondly.  What  a  filthy  mon- 
ster sin  is,  which  thou  hast  hitherto  car- 
ried about  with  thee,  and  cherished  in  thy 
breast.  Mortal  sin  is  so  great  an  evil,  so 
black,  so  odious,  and  hideous,  that  hell 
Itself  has  nothing  worse.  It  is  the  greatest 
of  all  evils,  and  infinitely  opposite  to  the 
Sovereign  Good.  This  dismal  poison 
changed,  in  a  moment,  innumerable  an- 
gels into  ugly  devils ;  it  is  the  bane  of  the 
whole  world ;  and  daily  crowds  hell  with 
innumerable  souls. 

Consider,  thirdly.  The  multitude  of  thy 
sins;  and  how,  from  thy  first  attaining  to 
the  use  of  reason,  till  this  very  hour,  thou 
hast  not  let  one  day  pass,  whhout  many 
ways  offending  thy  God.  And  what  had 
he  done,  to  deserve  this  treatment  at  thy 
hands?  Ah!  how  early  didst  thou  turn 
thy  back  to  him!  How  quickly  didst  thou 
fall  from  the  Supreme  Good  into  the  bot- 
tomless pii  of  sin  and  misery !  Hast  thou 
not  defiled  all  the  powers  of  the  soul,  and 
all  the  senses  and  members  of  the  body, 
oy  manifold  sins?  Hast  thou  not  per- 
verted all  the  gifts  of  God,  by  abusing 
them,  and  turning  them  to  the  offence  of 
tlie  giver?  And  yet  all  this  while  he  has 
spared  thee,  Avhile  millions  of  others  have 
Deen  cut  oif  in  their  sins. 


92     MEDITATION  BEFORE  CONFESSION. 

Consider,  fourthly.  That  death  will  be 
with  thee  very  quickly  :  and  that  a  suddea 
and  unprovided  death  is  frequently  the 
just  punishment  of  sin.  Ah!  make  then 
thy  peace  with  God  in  time;  and  remem- 
ber, that  a  death-bed  repentance  is  but  a 
poor  chance.  Alas!  they  will  certainly 
deceive  themselves,  who  design  to  impose 
upon  God's  justice,  by  living  in  sin,  and 
dying  in  grace.  Consider  also  the  dread- 
ful account  thou  must  give,  immediately 
after  death,  of  all  the  sins  of  thy  life  ;  and 
how  wretched  thy  case  will  then  be,  if 
thou  dost  not  now  wash  away  thy  sinful 
stains  by  penitential  tears. 

Consider,  fifthly.  How  good  God  is  in 
himself,  and  how  good  he  has  been  to 
thee.  He  is  an  ocean  every  way  of  in- 
finite goodness  and  perfection;  a  beauty 
so  charming  as  to  ravish  all  that  see  him, 
and  fill  their  souls  eternally  with  incon- 
ceivable joy,  delight,  and  love.  He  is  the 
inexhaustible  source  of  all  perfection,  and 
of  all  beings ;  and  every  good  that  is  in 
any  of  his  creatures  is  from  him,  by  him, 
and  in  him.  He  is  eternal,  without  be- 
ginning, ending,  or  change;  he  is  im- 
mense and  incomprehensible,  filling  hea- 
ven and  earth,  and  all  things  therein 
His  power,  wisdom,  mercy,  and  justice 


MEDITATION  BEFORE  CONFESSION.     93 

are  all  infinite:  and  who  art  thou,  my 
f«oiil,  that  so  great  a  God  should  set  his 
fjeart  upon  thee? 

Consider,  sixthly,  The  innumerable 
benefits  and  favours  thou  hast  received 
from  God.  He  has  g'iven  thee  thy  very 
being,  he  formed  thy  body  in  thy  mother's 
womb,  and  created  thy  immortal  boul  to 
his  own  image  and  likeness.  He  pre- 
served thee  from  perishing  by  any  of 
those  innumerable  accident3  to  which 
thou  wert  exposed  for  the  space  of  nine 
months;  and  brought  thee  safe  to  the 
waters  of  baptism,  where  he  washed  thee 
from  sin,  made  thee  his  child,  and  heir  to 
his  kingdom. 

Consider,  seventhly.  How  much  thy 
Saviour  Jesus  Christ,  the  Son  of  God, 
has  suffered  for  thy  sins.  His  whole  life 
was  a  continual  suffering:  but  what 
dreadful  torments  did  he  endure  for  thee 
in  his  passion  and  death!  What  a  bitter 
agony  in  the  garden  of  Gethsemane! 
What  a  bloody  sweat!  O!  the  anguish 
_of  his  sacred  soul,  which  forced  from  his 
body  this  dreadful  sweat!  O!  the  hein- 
ousness  ol  thy  sins,  my  soul,  which  thy 
Saviour  has  tnus  bewailed  with  tears  of 
blood  !  Alas !  it  was  for  the  love  of  thee, 
he  suffered  ail  this ;  judged  to  be  worse 
than  Barabbas  ;  rent  and  torn  v^ith  whips 


94    MEDITATION  BEFORE  CONFESSION. 

and  scourges ;  crowned  with  thorns ;  de- 
rided as  a  mock  king;  vested  with  a  pur 
pie  garment,  and  a  reed  given  him  instead 
of  a  sceptre;  condemned  to  a  disgraceful 
death;  loaded  with  a  heavy  cross  on  his 
wounded  shoulders;  his  thirst  quenched 
with  gall  and  vinegar;  violently  stripped 
of  his  clothes,  which  now  cleaved  fast  to 
his  wounds ;  stretched  on  the  cross  as  oi 
a  rack,  and  nailed  to  it  with  gross  nails 
driven  through  his  hands  and  feet;  hoist 
ed  up  in  the  air,  between  two  thieves 
and  there,  in  most  bitter  torments  and 
anguish,  he  was  pleased  to  hang  for  the 
space  of  three  hours,  bleeding  and  dying 
for  the  love  of  thee.  Run  now  at  least  to 
thy  crucified  Saviour;  embrace  his  feet 
hke  Magdalen,  and  strive  to  wash  them 
with  thy  tears. 

.Affections  and  Resolutiom. 

My  Lord  and  my  all!  I  am  confounded 
at  the  multitude  and  enormity  of  my  of- 
fences against  so  good  a  God;  I  dare  not 
presume  even  to  lii't  up  my  eyes  to  heaven, 
much  less  to  come  near  thy  altar,  after  so 
many  treasons  against  thee.  Alas!  what 
shall  I  now  do,  O  Lord — what  shall  I  say 
— but  with  the  humble  publican,  strike 
my  breast,  and  cry  unto  thee,  O  God!  be 
merciful  unto  me  a  sinner. 


MEDITATION  BEFORE   CONFESSION.     95 

Father!  I  have  sinned  against  Heaven 
and  in  thy  si^ht,  and  am  not  worthy  to  be 
called  thy  child.  Oh !  receive  me  as  one 
of  the  least  of  thy  servants,  and  never 
suffer  me  to  stray  from  thee  any  more. 

It  grieves  me,  O  my  God !  that  I  have 
offended  thee.  I  am  heartily  sorry  for 
all  the  sins  I  have  committed  against  thy 
infinite  goodness.  O  !  that  I  could  suffi- 
ciently lament  them,  even  with  tears  of 
blood. 

Who  will  give  water  to  my  head,  and 
fountains  of  tears  to  my  eyes,  that  nighl 
and  day  I  may  bewail  all  my  sins  and  in- 
gratitude. 

Have  mercy  on  me,  O  God  !  according 
to  thy  great  mercy,  and  according  to  the 
multitude  of  thy  tender  mercies,  blot  out 
all  my  iniquities.  Wash  me  yet  more 
from  my  iniquities,  and  cleanse  me  from 
my  sins ;  because  I  know  my  iniquities, 
and  my  sins  are  always  before  me. 

Lord !  thou  hast  said.  There  is  joy  in 
heaven  upon  one  sinner  doing  penance, 
more  than  upon  ninety-nine  just :  O ! 
give  me  now  grace  to  be  a  true  penitent, 
indeed,  that  thereby  heaven  may  rejoice 
at  my  conversion. 

I  know,  thou  wiliest  not  the  death  of  a 
sinner,  but  that  he  may  be  converted  and 
live.     O !  let  me  no  longer  remain  dead 


JKJ  AN  EXAMINATION,  ETC. 

m  my  sins  !  O  !  let  me  now  at  least  be- 
gin  to  live  to  thee. 

Create  a  clean  heart  in  me,  O  God ! 
and  renew  a  right  spirit  within  my 
bowels.  O !  grant  that  I  may  now  serve 
thee  in  good  earnest!  O  !  let  this  be  the 
change  of  the  right  hand  of  the  Most 
High. 

Too  late  have  I  known  thee,  O  eternal 
truth !  too  late  have  I  loved  thee,  O  eter- 
nal beauty !  too  long  have  I  gone  astray 
from  thee !  From  this  moment,  O  my 
Sovereign^  Good  !  I  desire  to  be  for  ever 
thine.  O !  let  nothing  in  life  or  deatn 
ever  separate  me  from  thee  any  more! 

0  divine  love !  how  little  art  thou 
known  in  this  wicked  world ;  how  little 
art  thou  loved!  Come  now  to  me,  and 
take  full  possession  of  my  whole  heart 
and  soul,  for  time  and  eternity. 

1  am  resolved,  by  thy  grace,  never 
more  to  return  to  my  sins.  Rather  let 
me  die  than  offend  thee  wilfully  any 
more.  I  am  resolved  to  avoid  all  evil 
company,  and  dangerous  occasions  ;  and 
to  take  proper  measures  for  a  thorough 
amendment  of  my  Hfe  for  the  future.  AH 
this  I  resolve;  but  thou  knowest  my 
frailty,  O  my  God  !  and  if  thou  assist  me 
not  with  thy  fjrace,  all  my  resolutions 
will  prove  ineffectual,  and  I  shall  be  for 


FOR  CONFESSION.  97 

ever  miserable.     O  !  look  to  me,  O  Lord  ! 
thai  I  may  never  betray  thee  any  more. 

The  Method  of  Confession. 
The  penitent  kneeling  down  at  the  side 
9f  his  gho=;tly  father,  makes  the  sign  of 
the  cross,  *tnd  asks  his  blessing.  Fray, 
father,  give  me  your  blessing,  for  I  haue 
finned.  Then  he  says  the  confiteor  in 
Latin  or  in  English,  as  far  as  mea  culpa, 
^c,  through  my  fault,  <$'C. 

2.  After  this  he  accuses  himself  of  his 
sins,  either  according  to  the  order  of  God's 
commandments,  or  such  other  order  as  he 
finds  most  helpful  to  his  memory  ;  adding, 
after  each  sin,  the  number  of  times  that 
he  has  been  guilty  of  it,  and  such  circum- 
stances as  considerably  aggravate  the 
guilt ;  but  carefully  abstaining  from  such 
as  are  impertinent  or  unnecessary,  and 
from  excuses  and  long  narrations. 

3.  After  he  has  confessed  all  that  he 
can  remember,  he  may  conclude  with  this 
or  the  like  form :  For  these  and  all  other 
qf  my  sins,  lohich  I  cannot  at  this  present 
call  to  my  remembrance,  I  am  heartily 
sorry  ;  purpose  amendment  for  the  future; 
most  humbly  ask  pardon  of  God,  and  pe- 
nance and  absolution  qf  you  my  ghostly 
father.  He  may  then  finish  the  coiifileor, 
and  give  an  attentive  ear  to  the  instruc- 

7 


yS  DEVOTIONS  FOR  CONFESSION. 

lions  and  advices  of  his  confessor,  and 
humbly  accept  the  penan^^e  enjoined  by 
him. 

4.  While  the  priest  gives  him  absolu- 
tion, let  him  bow  down  his  head,  and 
with  great  humihty  c^U  upon  God  for 
mercy ;  and  beg  of  him  that  he  would  be 
pleased  to  ratify  the  sentence  of  absolution 
in  heaven,  which  his  minister  pronounces 
here  upon  earth. 

5.  After  the  confession,  let  the  penitent 
return  to  his  prayers  -,  and  after  having 
heartily  given  God  thanks  for  having  ad- 
mitted him  by  the  means  of  this  sacra- 
ment to  the  grace  of  reconciliation,  and 
received  him,  like  the  prodigal  child  re- 
turning home,  let  him  make  an  offering 
of  his  confession  to  Jesus  Christ,  begging 
pardon  for  whatever  defects  he  may  have 
been  guilty  of  in  it;  offering  up  his  reso- 
lutions to  l^is  Saviour,  and  begging  grace 
to  put  them  in  execution. 

b.  Let  him  be  careful  to  perform  his* 
penance  in  due  time,  and  with  a  peniien 
lial  spirit. 

./3  Prayer  after  Confession, 

O  ALMIGHTY  and  most  merciful 
God  !  who,  according  to  the  multitude 
of  thv  tender  mercies,  liast  vouchsafed 


DEVOTIONS  FOR  CONFESSION.  99 

once  more  to  receive  this  prodigal 
child,  after  going  so  many  times  astray 
from  thee,  and  to  admit  him  to  the  sa- 
crament of  reconciliation ;  I  give  thee 
thanks,  with  all  the  powers  of  my  soul, 
for  this,  and  all  thy  other  mercie?, 
graces,  and  blessings,  bestowed  on  me, 
the  most  unv/orthy  of  all  sinners  ;  and, 
prostrating  myself  now  at  thy  sacred 
feet,  I  ofier  myself  to  be  henceforward 
for  ever  thine.  Oh !  let  nothing  in  life 
or  death  ever  separate  me  from  thee. 
I  once  more  renounce,  with  my  whole 
soul,  all  my  treasons  against  thee,  and 
all  the  abominations  and  sins  of  my 
past  life.  1  renew  my  promises  made 
in  baptism,  and  from  this  moment  I 
dedicate  myself  eternally  to  thy  love 
and  service.  Oh!  grant  tftat  for  the 
time  to  come,  1  may  ever  fly  from  and 
abhor  sin  more  than  death  itself,  and 
avoid  all  such  occasions  and  companies 
as  have  unhappily  brought  me  to  it. 
I  resolve  henceforward  to  shun  them 
all,  by  thy  divine  grace,  without  which, 
of  myself,  I  can  do  nothing.  I  resolve 
to  perform  suck  and  such  devotions^  for 


100        DEVOTIONS  FOR   COMMUNION 

Obtaining  this  grace.  I  resolve  to  avoid 
idlenesss,  and  to  model  for  myself  a 
regular  order  and  method  of  living  for 
the  time  I  have  yet  to  come.  I  beg 
thy  blessing  upon  these  my  resolutions, 
that  they  may  not  be  ineffectual,  like 
so  many  others  I  have  formerly  made ; 
for,  O  Lord  !  without  thee  I  am  nothing 
but  misery  and  sin.  Supply  also,  by 
thy  mercy,  whatever  defects  have  been 
in  this  my  confession.  I  am  sensible 
it  has  been  very  imperfect,  and  that  1 
was  far  from  having  that  true  sorrow 
which  the  heinousness  of  my  sins  re- 
quired; but  let  the  precious  blood  of 
thy  only  Son  supply  the  deficiency. 
Accept  my  poor  performance,  such  as 
it  is,  and  give  me  grace  to  be  now  and 
always  a  «true  penitent,  through  the 
same  Jesus  Christ  thy  Son.     Amen. 

INSTRUCTIONS  AND  DEVOTIONS 
FOR  COMMUNION. 

1 .  "  Let  a  man  prove  himself,''^  says  St, 
Paul,  1  Cor.  xi.  "  and  so  let  him  eat  of  that 
hread,'^  &c.  This  proving  or  trying  one's 
self  is  the  first  and  most  necessary  prepa- 
ration for  tl  e  holy  communion;  and  con- 


DEVOTIONS  FOR  COMMUNION  101 

sists  in  looking  diligenth'-  into  the  state  of 
one's  soul,  in  order  to  discover  what  in- 
dispositions or  sins  may  be  there  con- 
cealed ;  and  to  apply  a  proper  remedy  to 
them  by  sincere  repentance  and  confes- 
sion. Lest  otherwise  approaching  to  the 
holy  of  holies  whh  a  soul  defiled  with 
mortal  sin,  we  become  gidlty  of  the  hodij 
and  blood  of  Chnst,  and  eat  and  drink 
judgment  to  ourselves,  not  discerning  the 
body  of  the  Lord.  1  Cor.  xi.  For  this  reason 
we  go  to  confession  before  communion,  in 
order  to  clear  our  souls  from  the  filth  of 
sin. 

2.  The  person  that  is  to  receive  tne 
blessed  sacrament,  must  be  fastmg,  at 
least  from  mi-dnight,  by  a  precept  of  the 
church,  and  by  a  most  ancient  and  apos- 
tolic tradition,  ordaining,  that,  in  reve- 
rence to  so  great  a  sacramept,  nothing 
should  enter  into  the  body  of  a  Christian 
before  the  body  of  Christ. 

3.  Besides  this  preparation  of  confes- 
sion and  fasting,  the  person  that  proposes 
to  go  to  communion  must  endeavour  to 
aspire  to  the  best  devotion  he  is  able,  in 
order  to  dispose  his  soul  for  worthily  re- 
ceiving so  great  a  guest.  To  which  end 
I  recommend  to  him: 

First,  To  think  well  on  the  great  work 
Ue  has  in  hand;   to  consider  attentively 


102    MEDITATIONS  BEFORE  COMMUNION. 

what  he  is  going  to  receive,  and  how  far 
he  is  from  deserving  such  a  favour ;  and 
to  implore  with  fervour  and  humihty 
Grod's  grace  and  mercy. 

Secondly,  To  propose  to  himself  a  pure 
intention,  viz.,  the  honour  of  God,  and 
salvation  of  his  own  soul,  and  particu- 
larly, that  by  worthily  receiving  Christ, 
in  this  heavenly  sacrament,  he  may  come 
to  a  happy  union  with  him,  according  to 
St.  John  vi.  57.  He  that  eateth  my  Jiesh. 
and  drinketh  my  blood,  ahideth  in  me,  and 
I  in  him. 

TJiirdly,  To  meditate  on  the  sufferings 
and  death  of  his  Redeemer:  this  sacra- 
ment being  instituted  to  this  end  also, 
that  we  should  show  forth  the  death  of 
Christ  until  he  comes.  1  Cor.  xi. 

Fourthly,  To  prepare  himself  by  acts  of 
virtue,  more  especially  of  faith,  love,  and 
humility;  that  so  he  may  approach  his 
Lord  wittju  a  firm  belief  of  his  real  pre- 
sence in  mis  sacrament,  and  of  that  great 
sacrifice  which  he  heretofore  offered  upon 
tiie  cross  for  our  redemption. 

A  Meditation  before  Communion,  divided 
vito  seven  points,  which  may  serve  as  a 
seven  days^  preparation  for  the  blessed 
sacrament. 
1.  Consider,  first,  Tliat  Jesus  Christ 


MEDITATIONS  BEFORE  COMMUNIO^.     i03 

our  Lord,  whom  we  receive  in  this  V.e?^3- 
ed  sacrament,  is  called  in  Scripture,  T^ie 
Lamb  which  was  slain  from  the  begiTMing 
of  the  world. — Apocalypse,  xiii.  8.  Because 
from  the  very  beginning  of  the  'world, 
there  was  no  way  of  comuig  to  God's 
mercy  or  grace,  but  by  fc.iih  in  a  Re 
deemer  to  come,  and  by  f/ie  merits  of  his 
future  death  and  passioA.  Hence  Christ 
crucified  was,  from  thy  beginning  of  tlie 
world,  the  great  object  of  the  devotion  of 
die  patriarchs  and  pr^jphets :  for  him  they 
constantly  sighed :  nrm  they  regarded  in 
all  their  sacrifices  which  were,  indeed,  so 
many  figures  of  him,  and  of  his  death. 
All  these  figures  were  to  have  an  end, 
v/hen  Christ  hinself,  the  very  truth,  in 
person,  came  inf  j  the  world,  and  offered 
himself  upon  the  cross,  a  sacrifice  for  the 
sins  of  the  world.  But  still  his  death  and 
passion  is  to  be  the  perpetual  object  of 
liie  devotion  of  all  his  children  and  ser- 
vants, even  to  the  end  of  the  world. 

Consider,  secondly,  the  types,  by  which 
God  was  pleased  in  the  Old  Testament  to 
prefigure  this  sacrament — especially  these 
three,  the  tree  of  Hfe,  the  paschal  lamb, 
and  the  manna  from  heaven.  The  tree 
of  life  which  God  planted  in  the  midst  of 
tiie  earthly  paradise,  had  that  excellent 
property,  that  if  sin  had  not  baiiJished  us 


104    MEDITATIONS  BEFORE   COMMUNION. 

from  that  happy  abode,  by  feeding  on  tl 
fruit  of  it,  we  should  have  been  mai» 
tained  in  constant  vigour,  strength  auj 
health,  and  have  never  died.  O!  hor^ 
well  does  the  blessed  eucharist  aruswei 
this  noble  figure!  in  which  we  feed  upon 
life  itself,  in  its  very  fountain;  and  by  fre- 
quently and  worthily  approaching  it,  re- 
ceive a  copious  and  constant  supply  of 
heavenly  grace,  for  maintaining  the  vi- 
gour, strength,  and  health  of  the  soul; 
tiiat  so  we  may  never  incur  the  second 
death,  but  may  pass  from  life  to  life — from 
the  life  of  grace  to  the  life  of  glory,  from 
life  concealed  under  sacramenUil  veils,  to 
life  seen  and  enjoyed  without  shadow  or 
change  for  all  eternity.  The  paschal  lamb, 
which  was  first  offered  in  sacrifice  to  God, 
on  the  evening  on  which  the  children  ot 
Israel  were  dehvered  from  the  bondage  ot 
Egypt,  and  then  was  by  God's  command 
eaten  by  all  the  faithful,  was  also  a  figure 
of  the  blessed  eucharist,  and  of  the  trua 
Lamb^T  God. 

Another  figure  of  the  blessed  eucharist 
was  the  manna  from  heaven,  with  which 
the  children  of  Israel  were  wonderfully 
fed,  during  their  forty  years'  sojourning 
in  the  wilderness,  before  their  coming  to 
the  land  of  promise.  This  food  was  many 
ways  miraculous,  but  nothing  in  compa 


MEDITATIONS  BEFORE  COMMUNION.     105 

rison  of  that  living  bread,  that  bread  of 
life,  which  is  given  us  in  the  divine  mys- 
teries, which  comes  down  from  heaven, 
in  order  to  carry  us  up  to  heaven,  that 
true  land  of  promise,  the  land  of  the  liv- 
ing, and  which  nourishes  our  souls  *d 
life  eternal.  O  heavenly  manna!  O  bre-ad 
of  angels!  let  my  soul  always  hunger 
after  thee. 

Consider,  thirdly,  the  mysteries  which 
we  celebrate  in  this  thrice  blessed  sacra- 
ment and  sacrifice.  Here  the  whole  pas 
sion  and  death  of  Christ  is  solemnly  acted 
as  a  most  sacred  tragedy,  by  himself  in 
person.  Here  the  Lamb  of  God  presents 
himself,  as  slain,  to  his  eternal  Father, 
and  his  blood  most  powerfully  pleads  in 
our  benalf.  Here,  by  the  drnth  of  our 
Lord,  the  fountain  of  all  our  rood  plenti- 
fully flows  into  our  souls,  and  ever  Uvea 
and  brings  forth  in  \is  the  /^ruit  of  life. 
Here  the  triumphs  of  our  c':ucified  King, 
his  victorious-  .resurrectioa  and  glorious 
ascension,  are  displayed.  Here  we  re- 
ceive an  assurance  of  the  share  that  we 
have  in  Christ,  and  in  his  redemption. 
Here  we  partake  of  his  bodtj  and  his  sj)iriL 
Here  we  drink  of  the  fountain  of  life. 
Here  all  the  members  of  Christ  are  hap- 
pily united  with  one  another;  and  with 


106   MEDITATIONS  BEFORE  COMMU!«ION. 

iheir  head^  in  a  sacrament  of  union  and 
love. 

Consider,  therefore, /owrf/Jy,  that  what 
most  especially  calls  for  our  devotion  in 
these  most  holy  mysteries,  is  the  real  pre-, 
fience  of  Jesus  Christ  himself,  true  God 
and  true  man,  under  the  sacramental  veils. 
Bow  thyself  down,  my  soul,  to  adore  this 
sacred  truth:  let  no  proud  thoughts  ot 
opposition  arise  in  tliee,  against  this  ad- 
mirable sacrament.  Captivate  thy  under- 
standing to  the  obedience  of  faith.  Rely 
upon  the  express  words  of  truth  itself,  so 
often  repeated  in  holy  writ,  and  upon  the 
express  declaration  of  the  church  of  God, 
against  which  the  gates  of  hell  can  never 
prevail.  The  glory  and  merit  of  faith  is 
to  b^^£\'e  what  thou  canst  not  see;  ro 
ackn^MJI^that  the  Almighty  can  do 
inlini^PB^'ihan  thou  canst  compie- 
hend,  and  that  no  effort  of  mercy  and 
love  can  be  too  great  for  him  who  hiu 
died  for  love. 

Consider,  fifthly,  how  many  ways  thy 
Lord  and  thy  God,  the  Sovereign  Good, 
who  delights  to  be  with  the  children  of 
men,  Prov.  viii,,  31,  communicates  him- 
self to  thee.  In  his  incarnation  and  birth, 
he  gave  himself  to  be  thy  companion,  and 
to  take  upon  him  all  thy  miseries.  In  his 


MEDITATIONS  BEFORE  COMMUNION.     1G7 

death,  he  gave  himself  to  be  thy  ransom. 
In  his  heavenly  sacrament,  he  gives  him^ 
self  to  be  thy  food,  thy  comfort  and  sup- 
port in  thy  exile :  and  in  his  kingdonj 
above,  he  designs  to  give  himself  as  thy 
eternal  reward.  Oh!  what  can  he  do 
more,  to  testify  his  love  to  thee?  As 
powerful  as  he  is,  he  cannot  do  more  for 
tiee,  than  to  give  thee  himself.  Oh!  how 
true  is  that  saying  of  the  beloved  disciple, 
that  God  is  love !  But  v^hat  dost  thou  see 
in  mey  dear  Lord,  that  can  move  thee  to 
iove  siieh  a  poor  worm,  such  a  wretched 
sinner  &.^  ^  am  ! 

Conii.uer,  sixthly,  who  it  is  that  thou 
L^rt  to  receive  in  this  blessed  sacrament  j 
and  who  thou  art  that  presumest  to  ap- 
proach him.  He  is  the  great  King  and 
Maker  of  heaven  and  earth :  and  the 
whole  creation  is  a  mere  nothing  in  his 
sighl^Avhat  a  little  atom  then  art  thou, 
compared  to  him!  He  is  eternal,  im- 
mense, and  every  way  infinite  in  power, 
majesty,  beauty,  wisdom,  and  glory. 
How  then,  my  soul !  shall  we  dare  venture 
to  enter  into  this  inward  sanctuary,  to 
approach  the  throne  of  this  infinite  ma- 
jesty, and,  unclean  as  we  are,  to  touch 
and  receive  the  Holy  of  Holies  ?  Ozias 
was  struck  dead  for  irreverently  touching 
the  ark  of  the  covenant ;  the  Bctlishemites 


lOS  MEDITA.TIONS  BEFORE    COMMUNlOn 

for  irreverently  looking  on  it ;  and  JVadah 
and  Jlhihu  for  offering  incense  before  it 
with  unhallowed  fire.  Now  what  was 
this  ark,  (in  which  were  laid  up  the  tables 
of  the  law,)  in  comparison  with  the  Lord 
and  Girer  of  the  law,  whom  we  here  ap- 
proach to?  When  God  was  about  to 
give  the  law,  the  children  of  Israel  were 
commanded  to  be  purified,  and  to  keep 
themselves  chaste  ;  and  nevertheless,  to 
Keep  their  distance  from  the  mountain, 
where  the  Lord  appeared  in  thunder  and 
lightning.  Moses  only  was  permitted  to 
ascend  to  the  mountain's  top,  to  con- 
verse with  the  Divine  Majesty,  or  rathei 
with  an  angel,  speaking  in  his  person. 
And  how  shall  we,  with  so  little  purity, 
dare  approach  this  immense  Deity,  this 
comuming  fire !  St.  Paul  assures  us,  1 
Cor.,  that  the  unworthy  receiver  is  guilty 
of  the  bodfi  and  blood  of  ike  Lord,  and  re 
ceiveih.  judgment  to  himself,  not  discermna, 
the  hodij  of  the  Lord.  Hoav  then  shall 
we,  the  most  unwoi'thy  of  all  sinners,  pre- 
sume to  receive  this  Lord  of  glory  ? 
Must  we  then  stay  away  till  Ave  have  the 
presumption  to  think  ourselves  loorihy  f 
No,  certainly  :  for  one  of  the  most  neces- 
sary dispositions  for  receiving  worthily, 
is  to  acknowledge  and  believe  our  own 
unworthiness 


MEDITATIONS  BEFORE   COMMUNION.    109 

Consider,  seventhly.  The  happy  fruits 
which  this  divine  sacrament  produces  in 
those  souls  that  frequent  it  v/ith  due  pre- 
paration. The  bread  that  I  will  ^ive,  says 
our  Lord,  St.  John  vi.,  is  myjiesh  for  the 
life  of  the  world.  And  again :  He  that 
eateth  my  flesh  and  drinketh  my  blood,  hath 
eternal  life,  and  I  will  raise  him  up  at  the 
last  day.  And  again  :  He  that  eateth  my 
flesh,  and  drinketh  my  blood,  abideth  in  me, 
and  I  in  him.  And,  He  that  eateth  me, 
shall  live  by  me.  And,  He  that  eateth  this 
bread,  shall  live  for  ever.  Wheresoever 
our  Lord  comes,  he  carries  with  him  all 
the  treasures  of  life;  that  is,  all  grace, 
charity,  and  sanctity ;  and  is,  on  his  part, 
ever  ready  to  open  these  treasures,  and 
to  communicate  them  most  plentifully  to 
those  souls  which  he  comes  to  visit. 
These  treasures  are  infinite,  and  so  is  the 
love  he  bears  to  us.  What  gifts,  then, 
what  graces,  may  we  not  expect,  if  we 
come  with  reverence  and  humility,  with 
love  and  devotion,  to  him  who  is  the 
fountain  of  life,  grace,  and  sanctity? 
Here  we  receive  the  bread  of  life,  for  the 
food  and  nourishment  of  our  souls.  Here 
we  meet  with  a  constant  supply  of  sanc- 
tifying grace,  to  repair  the  daily  decays 
caused  by  our  infirmity  and  corruption  ; 
to  give  us  new  strength  and  vigor  to  walk 


110     PRAYERS   BEFORE   COMMUNION. 

on  our  way,  through  the  wilderness  of 
this  world,  to  the  mountain  of  God  ;  and 
to  make  us  continually  grow  in  virtue, 
till  we  come  to  the  slate  of  a  perfect  man, 
to  the  measure  of  the  age  of  the  fulness 
of  Christ. 

A  Preparatory  Prayer,  containing  the  chief 
acts  of  devotion  proper  hefo^e  Communion, 

1.  Direct  your  Intention. 

0  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  King  of  ever- 
lasting glory  !  behold,  I  desire  to  come 
to  thee  this  day,  and  to  receive  thy 
body  and  blood  in  this  heavenly  sacra- 
ment, for  thy  honor  and  glory,  and  the 
good  of  my  soul,  I  desire  to  receive 
thee,  because  it  is  thy  desire,  and  thou 
hast  so  ordained;  blessed  be  thy  name 
for'ever.  I  desire  to  come  to  thee,  like 
Magdalen^  that  I  may  be  delivered  from 
all  my  evils,  and  embrace  thee,  my  only 
good. 

2.  Commemorate  the  Passion  of  Christ, 

1  desire,  in  these  holy  mysteries,  to 
commemorate,  as  thou  hast  com- 
manded, all  thy  sufferings,  thy  agony 
and  bloody  sweat,  thy  being  betrayed 


PRAYERS  BEFORE   COMMUNION.      Ill 

and  apprehended;  all  the  reproaches 
and  calumnies,  all  the  scoffs  and  af- 
fronts, all  the  blows  and  buffets  thou 
hast  endured  for  me;  thy  being 
scourged,  crowned  with  thorns,  and 
loaded  with  a  heavy  cross  for  my  sins, 
and  for  those  of  the  whole  world ;  thy 
crucifixion  and  death,  together  with 
thy  glorious  resurrection  and  triumph- 
ant ascension 

3.  Make  an  act  of  faith. 

I  most  firmly  believe,  that  in  tliis 
holy  sacrament,  thou  art  present,  verily 
and  indeed  ;  that  here  is  thy  body  and 
blood,  thy  soul  and  thy  divinity.  I 
believe  that  thou,  my  Saviour,  true  God 
and  true  Man,  art  really  here  with  all 
thy  treasures;  that  here  thou  commu- 
nicatest  thyself  to  us  ;  makest  us  par- 
takers of  the  fruits  of  thy  passion,  and 
givest  us  a  pledge  of  eternal  life. 

4.  Conceive  a  great  fear,  and  humble  your- 
self 

But,  O  my  God !  how  shall  I  dare 
approach  to  thee — so  wretched  a  worm 


112      PR.WERS   BEFORE   COMMUNION. 

to  SO  infinite  a  majesty — so  filthy  a 
sinner  to  such  infinite  purity  and  sano 
tity  !  Aids  !  my  soul  is  covered  with 
a  universal  leprosy  ;  and  how  shall  I 
presume  to  embrace  thee  !  My  wholf» 
life  has  been  nothing  but  misery  anc^ 
sin  ;  and  it  is  owing  to  thy  mercy,  tha* 
I  have  not  been  long  since  in  hell, 
which  I  have  deserved  a  thousand 
times ;  and  how  shall  I  venture  sc 
much  as  to  lift  up  my  eyes  to  thee 
much  less  to  receive  thee  within  m; 
breast  ? 

5.  Make  an  act  of  contrition. 

Lord  !  I  detest,  with  my  whole  heart 
all  the  sins  by  which  I  have  ever  of- 
fended thy  Divine  Majesty,  from  the 
first  moment  that  I  was  capable  of  sin- 
ning, to  this  very  hour :  I  desire  to  lay 
lliem  all  down  here  at  thy  feet,  to  be 
cancelled  by  thy  precious  blood.  Whal 
CMi  I  do  for  them  but  humbly  confess 
and  lament  them  all  my  lifetime  ?  and 
this  I  heartily  desire  to  do,  and  from 
tliis  moment  continually  to  cry  to  thee 
for  mercy.     Hear  me.  O  Lord  !  by  thy 


PRAYERS  BEFORE  COMMUNION.      113 

infinite  love  by  which  thou  hast  shed 
thy  blood  for  me  ;  O  !  let  not  that  blood 
be  shed  in  vain.  All  my  sins  displease 
me  now  exceedingly, because  they  have 
offended  thy  infinite  goodness. 

6.  Make  an  act  of  divine  love. 

O  sweet  Jesus  !  the  God  of  my  heart, 
ftnd  the  life  of  my  soul !  as  the  heart 
pants  after  the  fountains  of  water,  so 
does  my  soul  pant  after  thee,  the  foun- 
tain of  life,  and  the  ocean  of  all  good. 
I  am  overjoyed  at  the  hearing  of  these 
happy  tidings,  that  I  am  to  go  into  the 
house  of  our  Lord  :  or  rather,  that  our 
Lord  is  to  come  into  my  house,  and 
take  up  his  abode  with  me.  O  happy 
moments,  when  shall  J  be  admitted  tc 
tlie  embraces  of  the  living  God,  for 
whom  my  poor  soul  languishes  with 
(ove !  O  come,  dear  Jesus  !  and  take 
full  possession  of  my  heart  for  ever ! 
I  offer  it  to  thee  without  reserve  :  I  de- 
sire to  consecrate  it  eternally  to  thee  ; 
I  love  thee  with  my  whole  soul,  above 
all  things  ;  at  least  I  desire  so  to  love 
thee. 

8 


!14      PRAYERS  BEFORE  COMMUNION. 

7.  Humbly  beg  God^s  gi-ace. 
But,  O  my  God !  thou  knowest  m> 
great  poverty  and  misery,  and  that  of 
myself  I  can  do  nothing :  thou  knowest 
how  unworthy  I  am  of  this  infiniie  fa- 
vour ;  and  thou  alone  canst  make  me 
worthy.  Oh  !  since  thou  art  so  good 
as  to  invite  me  thus  to  thyself,  add  this 
one  bounty  more  to  all  the  rest,  to  pre* 
pare  me  for  thyself.  Cleanse  my  soul 
from  its  stains,  clothe  it  with  the  nup- 
tial garment  of  charity;  adorn  it  with 
all  virtues,  and  make  it  a  fit  abode  for 
thee.  Drive  sin  and  the  devil  far  from 
this  dwelling,  which  thou  art  pleased 
to  choose  for  thyself,  and  make  me  one 
according  to  thy  own  heart;  that  this 
heavenly  visit,  which  thou  designest 
for  my  salvation,  may  rot,  by  my  un- 
worthiness,  be  perverted  to  my  dam- 
nation. 

8.  Implore  the  prayers  of  the  blessed  Vif* 
gm,  and  of  the  Saints. 

O  ALL  ye  blessed  angels  and  saints  ol 
God,  who  see,  face  to  face,  him  whom  I 
here  receive  under  these  humble  veila 


PRAYERS  BEFORE   COMMUNION.      115 

— and  thou,  most  especially,  ever 
blessed  Virgin,  mother  of  this  same 
God  and  Saviour,  in  whose  sacred 
womb  he  was  conceived  and  borne  for 
nine  months,  I  most  humbly  beg  the 
assistance  of  your  prayers  and  inter- 
cession, that  I  may  in  such  manner  re- 
ceive him  here,  in  this  place  of  banish- 
ment, as  to  be  brought  one  day  to  en 
joy  him  with  you,  in  our  true  country, 
and  there  to  praise  him  and  love  him 
for  ever. 

At  the  time  of  communion,  go  up  to 
the  rail,  and,  kneeling,  take  up  the  towel 
and  hold  it  before  you.  Whilst  the  clerk 
says  the  conjiteor,  humbly  confess  your 
sins,  and  beg  God's  pardon  for  them"! 
When  the  priest  turns  about,  to  give  the 
absolution,  receive  it  with  head  bowed 
down,  as  from  the  hand  of  the  invisible 
hi^h-priest,  whom  you  are  going  to  re- 
ceive. 

When  the  priest  holds  up  a  particle  of 
tlie  blessed  sacrament,  with  these  words, 
Ecce  ^2gnus  Dei,  4*c.  Behold  the  Lamb  of 
God,  behold  him  who  lakclh  away  the  sirts 
of  the  world,  humbly  beg,  with  a  lively  con- 
fidence in  the  merits  of  his  death  and  pas- 
sion, that  he  would  take  away  your  sins. 


116        DIRECTIONS  FOR   COMMUNION. 

When  the  priest  repeats  three  times, 
Domine,  non  sum  digniis,  ^-c.  Lord,  1 
am  not  ivorthy  thou  shoiddst  enter  under 
my  roof;  speak  only  the  word,  and  my  soul 
sh(dl  he  healed  ;  say  the  same  with  him  in 
your  heart,  and  humble  yourself  exceed- 
ingly through  the  sense  of  your  unworthi- 
ness  and  sins. 

When  the  priest  gives  you  the  blessed 
sacrament,  saying.  The  body  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  j)reserve  thy  soid  to  life  ever- 
lastmg,  Jlmen,  receive  it  with  a  lively 
faith,  a  profound  humility,  and  a  heart 
inflamed  with  love.  At  the  time  of  your 
receiving,  let  your  head  be  erect,  your 
mouth  opened  moderately  wide,  and  your 
tongue  a  little  advanced,  so  as  to  rest  upon 
your  under  lip  :  that  the  priest  may  con- 
veniently convey  the  blessed  sacrament 
into  your  mouth  ;  which  being  done,  shut 
your  mouth,  let  the  sacred  host  moisten 
a  little  upon  your  tongue,  and  then  swal- 
low it  down  as  soon  as  you  can,  and  af- 
terwards abstain  awhile  from  spitting. 
If  the  host  should  chance  to  stick  to  the 
roof  of  your  mouth,  be  not  disturbed,  nei- 
ther must  you  put  your  finger  in  youi 
mouth  to  remove  it,  but  gently  and  quietly 
remove  it  with  your  tongue,  and  so  con- 
vey it  down.  And  then  having  received 
the  priest's  blessing,  return  to  your  place, 


DEVOTIONS  AFTER  COMMUNION.      117 

and  endeavor  to  entertain,  as  well  as  you 
can,  the  guest  whom  you  have  received. 
Spend  at  least  a  quarter  of  an  hour, 
after  communion,  in  devotions  suitable  to 
that  occasion.  It  would  be  a  great  abuse 
10  turn  your  back  immediately  upon  your 
Saviour,  by  going  away,  as  some  dQ,  and 
thinking  no  more  of  what  you  have  been 
doing.  Particularly,  I  recommend  to  you, 
three  things  after  communion  :  1st,  To 
cast  yourself  down  in  spirit  at  the  feet  of 
your  Lord,  whom  you  have  received  ;  to 
adore  him,  praise  him,  and  give  him 
thanks  for  coming  to  so  unworthy  a  sin- 
ner ;  and  to  invite  all  heaven  and  earth 
to  join  with  you  in  praising  and  magni- 
fying his  holy  name.  2dly,  To  make  an 
offering  of  your  heart  and  soul,  and  of 
your  whole  being  to  him,  that  you  may 
henceforward  love  him  and  serve  him  for 
ever.  3dly,  To  present  him  your  peti- 
tions for  all  the  graces  that  you  stand  in 
need  of,  and  to  make  good  use  of  this  fa- 
vorable opportunity  to  pray  heartily  for 
yourself,  for  your  friends,  and  for  the 
whole  world. 

Aspirations  after  Communion. 
Behold,  O  Lord!  I  have  thee  now, 
who  hast  all  things ;    I  possess  thee, 
who   possessest    all  things,  and    who 


•18      DEVOTIONS  AFTER  COMMUNION. 

anst  do  all  things  :  Take  off  my  heart 
then,  O  my  God  and  my  all !  from  all 
other  things  but  thee,  in  all  which  there 
IS  nothing  but  vanity  and  affliction  of 
spirit. 

Let  my  soul,  O  Lord  !  be  sensible  of 
the  sweetness  of  thy  presence.  Let 
me  taste  how  sweet  thou  art,  O  Lord! 
that  being  allured  by  thy  love,  I  may 
never  more  hunt  after  worldly  joys ; 
for  thou  art  the  joy  of  my  heart,  and 
my  portion  for  ever. 

Thou  art  the  Physician  of  my  soul, 
v/ho  healest  all  our  infirmities  by  thy 
sacred  blood.  And  I  am  that  sick  man, 
whom  thou  earnest  from  heaven  to 
heal.  O !  heal  my  soul,  for  I  have 
sinned  against  ihee. 

Thou  art  the  good  Shepherd,  who 
hast  laid  down  thy  life  for  thy  sheep. 
Behold  I  am  that  sheep  that  was  losl^ 
and  yet  thou  vouchsafest  to  feed  me 
v/ith  thy  body  and  blood. 

O  true  light !  which  enlightenest 
every  man  that  cometh  into  this  world, 
enlighten  my  eyes  that  1  may  never 
eloep  in  death. 

O  kinjx  of  heaven  and  earth  !  rich  in 


DEVOTIONS  AFTER  COMMUNION.     119 

mercy,  behold  I  am  poor  and  needy  ; 
tliou  knowest  what  I  stand  most  in 
need  of;  and  thou  alone  canst  assist 
me  and  enrich  me. 

Thou  art  the  Lamb  of  God,  the 
Lamb  without  spot,  ivho  takest  aioaij  the 
sins  of  the  world.  O  !  take  away  from 
me  whatever  is  hurtful  to  me  and  dis- 
pleasing to  thee;  and  give  me  what 
tiiou  knowest  to  be  pleasing  to  thee 
and  profitable  to  me. 

Thou  art  my  love,  and  all  my  joy  : 
thou  art  my  God  and  my  all  :  thou  art 
the  portion  of  my  inheritance  and  of 
my  chalice  :  thou  art  he  that  wilt  re- 
store my  inheritance  to  me. 

O  my  God  and  my  all !  may  the 
sweet  flame  of  thy  love  consume  my 
soul,  that  so  I  may  die  to  tlie  world  for 
tlie  love  of  thee,  who  hast  vouchsafed 
to  die  upon  the  cross  for  the  love 
of  me. 

Acts  of  Devotion,  Praise,  and  TlianksgiV' 
ing,  after  Communion. 

O  MY  sweet  Jesus  !  my  Creator  and 

my  Redeemer !  my  God  and  my  all ! 

jrhence  is  this  to  me,  that  my  Lord 


reO     DEVOTIONS  AFTER  COMMUNION. 

and  so  great  a  Lord,  whom  heaven  apd 
earth  cannot  contain,  should  come  into 
this  poor  cottage,  this  house  of  clay  of 
my  earthly  habitation  ?  O !  that  1 
could  give  thee  a  hearty  welcome  !  O  ! 
tliat  I  could  entertain  thee  as  I  ought' 
Thy  loving  kindness  invites  me  to  thy 
embraces,  and  I  would  willingly  say, 
with  the  spouse  in  the  Canticles, '//^ave 
found  him  whom  mij  soul  loveth;  I  have 
held  him^  and  will  never  let  him  go ; 
but  the  awe  of  so  great  majesty  checks 
me  :  and  the  sense  of  my  great  un- 
worthiness  and  innumerable  sins  keeps 
me  back. 

Bow  down  thyself  with  all  thy  powers, 
to  adore  this  sovereign  majesty,  which 
has  vouchsafed  to  come  to  visit  thee. 
Pay  him  the  best  homage  thou  art  able, 
as  to  thy  fii;st  beginning  and  last  end; 
and  perfectly  annihilate  thyself  in  the 
presence  of  this  eternal,  immense,  infinite 
Deity.  Then  pour  thyself  forth  in  his 
presence,  in  praise  and  thanksgiving,  ac 
cording  to  thy  best ;  and  invite  all  heaven 
and  earth  to  join  with  thee  in  magnifying 
their  Lord  and  thine,  for  his  mercy  and 
bounty  to  thee. 


DEVOIIONS  AFTER  COMMUNIO 


N.  >121 


Oh  !  what  return  shall  I  make  to  thee, 

0  Lord  !  for  all  that  thou  hast  done  for 
me  ?  Behold,  when  I  had  no  being  at 
all,  tliou  hast  created  me.     And,  when 

1  had  gone  astray,  and  was  lost  in  my 
sins,  thou  hast  redeemed  me,  by  dying 
for  me :  all  that  I  have,  all  that  I  am, 
is  ihy  gift;  and  now,  after  all  tliy  favors, 
thou  hast  given  me  thyself.  Blessed 
be  thy  name  for  ever.  Thou  art  great, 
O  Lord  !  and  exceedingly  to  be  praiserL 
Great  are  thy  works,  and  of  thy  wis- 
dom there  is  no  end.  But  thy  tender 
mercies,  thy  bounty  and  goodness  to 
me,  are  above  all  thy  works  :  tliese  I 
desire  to  confess  and  extol  for  ever. 
Bless  then  thy  Lord,  O  my  soul  I  and 
let  all  that  is  within  thee  praise  and 
magnify  his  name.  Bless  thy  Lord, 
my  soul !  and  see  thou  never  forget  all 
that  he  has  done  for  thee.  O,  all  ye 
works  of  the  Lord  !  bless  the  Lord, 
praise  and  glorify  him  for  ever.  O  all 
ye  angels  of  the  Lord  !  bless  the  Lord  ! 
praise  and  glorify  his  name.  Bless  the 
Lord,  all  ye  saints !  and  let  the  whole 


IZ'^     DEVOTIONS  AFTER  COMMUNION. 

church  of  heaven  and  earth  join  in 
praising  and  giving  him  thanks. 

Ail  Ohlation  after  Commimion. 

O  Father  of  mercies  and  God  of  all 

consolation  !  how  hast  thou  loved  us  I 
To  whom  thou  hast  given  thy  only  be- 
gotten Son  once  for  our  ransom  and 
daily  for  the  food  of  our  souls.  What 
can  I,  a  wretched  creature,  return  to 
thee  for  this  infinite  charity  ?  verily, 
nothing  else  but  this  same  beloved  Son 
of  thine,  whom  thou  hast  given  to  me  , 
and  surely  tliou  couldst  give  me  no- 
tliing  greater  or  more  worthy  of  thyself. 
Him,  then,  I  offer  to  thee,  O  heavenly 
Father!  witli  whom  thou  art  always 
well  pleased;  him  whom  thou  hast  lov- 
ingly delivered  up  to  death  for  me,  and 
given  me  in  this  most  holy  sacrament, 
which  we  frequ<?nt  for  the  everlasting 
memorial  of  his  death.  He  is  our  high- 
priest  and  victim  •  He  is  the  propitia- 
tion for  the  sins  of  the  whole  world. 
He  is  our  adv'>cate  and  intercessor. 
Look  down,  then,  upon  him;  and  for 
his  sake  look  dovvn  Mpon  me,  and  upon 
us   all.     Remember   ill  his  sufferings. 


DEVOTIONS  AFTER    COMMUNION.     123 

which  he  endured  here  in  liis  mortal  life, 
his  bitter  anguish,  his  mortal  agony 
any  bloody  sweat,  all  the  injuries  and 
affronts,  all  the  blows  and  stripes,  all 
tlie  bruises  and  wounds  that  he  re- 
ceived for  us.  Remember  his  death, 
which  thou  wast  pleased  should  be 
Uie  fountain  of  our  life ;  and  for  tlie 
sake  of  his  sacred  passion  have  mercy 
on  us  Receive,  O  holy  Father,  al- 
mighty and  everlasting  God!  this 
holy  and  unspotted  victim,  which  I 
here  offer  thee,  in  union  with  that 
love,  with  which  he  offered  himselt 
to  thee  upon  the  altar  of  the  cross. 
Receive  him  for  the  praise  and  glory 
of  thy  name  ;  in  thanksgiving  for  all 
thy  beneffts  bestowed  on  me  and  all 
mankind  ;  in  satisfaction  also  for  all 
my  sins,  and  for  the  benefit  of  thy 
whole  church,  and  the  refreshment 
and  comfort  of  all  thy  faithful,  living 
and  dead.  Through  the  same  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  thy  Son.     Amen. 

Petition  after  Coviniunion. 

O  MOST  merciful  Saviour!  behold  1 
buve   presumed    to    receive    thee    this 


124     DEVOTIONS  AFTER  COMMUNION. 

day  into  my  house,  relying  on  thy 
infinite  goodness  and  mercy,  and 
hoping,  like  Zaccheus^  to  obtain  thy 
benediction.  But,  alas !  with  how 
little  preparation !  With  how  little 
devotion  !  From  my  heart  I  beg  par- 
don for  my  great  unworthiness,  and 
for  my  innumerable  sins,  which  I  de- 
test for  the  love  of  thee,  and  I  desire 
to  detest  them  for  ever.  O !  wash 
them  away  with  thy  precious  blood : 
For  thou  art  the  Lamb  of  God,  that 
takest  away  the  sins  of  the  world, 
and  one  drop  of  this  blood,  which 
tliou  hast  shed  for  us,  is  more  than 
enough  to  cancel  the  sins  of  ten 
thousand  worlds. 

Thou  seest,  O  Searcher  of  hearts! 
all  my  maladies,  and  all  the  wounds 
of  my  soul.  Thou  knowcst  how  prone 
J  am  to  evil,  and  how  backward  and 
shiggish  to  good.  Thou  seest  this 
self-love,  that  tyrannizes  over  my 
soul,  which  is  so  deeply  rooted  in  my 
corrupt  nature;  and  branches  into 
so  many  vices,  so  much  pride  and 
vanity,  so  much  passion  and  envy,  so 
much    covetousness  and   worldly  so- 


DEVOTIONS  AFTER  COMMUMON.      125 

licitude,  so  much  sensuality  and  con- 
cupiscence. Oh !  who  can  heal  all 
these  my  evils,  but  thou,  the  true 
physician  of  my  soul,  M'ho  givest  me 
thy  Dody  and  blood  in  this  blessed 
sacrament,  as  a  sovereign  medicine 
for  all  my  infirmities,  and  a  so- 
vereign balsam  for  all  my  wounds. 
Dispel  the  darkness  of  ignorance  and 
error  from  my  understanding  by  thy 
'4.heavenly  light.  Drive  away  the  cor- 
Jruption  and  malice  of  my  will,  by  the 
fire  of  divine  love  and  charity.  Re- 
strain all  the  motions  of  concupis- 
cence, and  all  the  irregular  sallies  of 
passion,  that  they  may  no  more  pre- 
vail over  me ;  and  strengthen  my 
weakness  with  heavenly  fortitude. 
Destroy  this  hellish  monster  of  self- 
love  with  its  many  heads :  or  at  least 
chain  down  this  worst  of  all  my  ene- 
mies, that  it  may  no  longer  usurp  the 
-empire  of  my  soul,  which  belongs  to 
thee,  and  which  thou  hast  taken  pos- 
session of  this  day.  Cut  off  the  heads 
of  this  beast,  and  particularly  that 
which  annoys  me  most,  and  whitih  is 
my   predominant    passion.     Stand    by 


126     DEVOTIONS  AFTER  COMMUNION. 

me  henceforward  in  all  my  tempta- 
tions, that  I  may  never  more  be  over- 
come. Remove  from  me  all  dange> 
ous  occasions ;  and  grant  me  this  one 
favor,  that  I  may  rather  die  a  thou- 
sand deaths  than  live  to  offend  thee 
mortally. 

O  my  Jesus !  thou  art  infinitely 
rich,  and  all  the  treasures  of  divine 
grace  are  locked  up  in  thee.  These 
treasures  thou  bringest  with  thee* 
when  thou  comest  to  visit  us  in  this 
blessed  sacrament,  and  thou  takesi 
an  infinite  pleasure  in  opening  them 
to  us  to  enrich  our  poverty.  This 
gives  me  the  confidence  to  present 
thee  now  with,  my  petitions,  and  to 
beg  of  thee  those  graces  and  virtues 
which  1  very  much  stand  in  need  o^ 
as  thou  best  knowest.  O !  increase 
and  strengthen  my  belief  of  thy  hea- 
venly truths,  and  grant  that  hence- 
forward I  may  ever  live  by  faith,  and 
be  guided  by  the  maxims  of  thy  gos- 
pel. Teach  me  to  be  poor  in  spirit, 
and  separate  my  heart  from  tjie  love 
of  these  transitory  tilings,  and  fix  it 
upon    eternity.     Teach   me,    by    tliy 


DEVOTIONS  AFTER  COMMUNION.    127 

divine  example,  and  by  thy  most  effi 
cacious  grace,  to  be  meek  and  hum- 
ble of  heart,  and  in  my  patience  to 
possess  my  soul.  Grant  that  I  may 
ever  keep  my  body  and  soul  chaste 
and  pure  from  the  corruption  of  lust: 
that  I  may  ever  bewail  my  past  sins., 
and,  by  a  daily  mortification,  restrain 
ail  irregular  inclinations  and  passions 
for  the  future.  Above  all  thing*, 
teach  me  to  love  thee,  teach  me  to 
be  ever  recollected  in  thee,  and  to 
walk  always  in  thy  presence.  Teach 
me  to  love  my  friends  in  thee,  and 
my  enemies  for  thee :  grant  me  to 
persevere  to  the  end  in  this  love,  and 
so  to  come  one  day  to  that  happy 
place  where  I  may  love  and  enjoy 
thee  for  ever. 

Have  mercy  also  on  my  parents, 
friends,  and  benefactors,  and  on  all 
those  for  whom  I  am  any  ways  bound 
to  pray,  that  we  may  all  love  thee 
and  faithfully  serve  thee.  Havo 
mercy  on  thy  whole  church,  and  on 
all  the  clergy  and  religious  men  and 
women,  that  all  may  live  up  to  their 
calling,  and  sanctify  thy  name.     Give 


128  PENITENTIAL  PSALMS. 

thy  grace  and  blessing  to  all  princen 
end  magistrates,  and  to  all  Christian 
people.  Convert  all  unbelievers  and 
sinners,  and  bring  all  strayed  sheep 
back  to  thy  fold :  particularly  have 
mercy  on  J\\  and  JV*.,  &c. 

O  blessed  Virgin!  mother  of  my 
God  and  Saviour,  recommend  all  these 
my  petitions  to  your  Son.  O  all  ye 
angels  and  saints!  citizens  of  hea- 
ven! join  also  your  prayers  with 
mine.  You  ever  stand  before  the 
til  rone,  and  see  him  face  to  face ; 
whom  I  here  receive  under  veils. 
Be  ever  mindful  of  me ;  and  obtain 
from  him,  and  through  him,  that  with 
you  I  may  bless  him  and  love  him 
for  ever.     Amen. 


SEVEN  PENITENTIAL  PSALMS, 

Pi-oper  to  he  said  mi  Fasting  Days,  and 
other  penitential  times. 

ANTHEM. 

Remember  not,  O  Lord !  our  offences, 
nor  those  of  our  parents,  and  take  no< 
revenge  on  our  sins. 


PENITENTIAL  PSALMS.  129 

Psalm  vi.  Domine,  ne  in  furore. 

0  Lord!  rebuke  me  not  in  thy  fury, 
nor  chastise  me  in  thy  wrath. 

Have  mercy  on  me,  O  Lord  !  for  I  ana 
weak  ;  heal  me,  O  Lord !  for  all  my  bones 
are  troubled. 

And  my  soul  is  troubled  exceedingly, 
but  thou,  O  Lord  !  how  long? 

Turn  to  me,  O  Lord !  and  deliver  my 
soul;  O!  save  me  for  thy  mercy's  sake. 

For  there  is  none  in  death,  that  is 
mindful  of  thee ;  and  who  shall  confess 
to  thee  in  hell  ? 

1  have  labored  in  my  groanings,  every 
night  I  will  wash  my  bed  ;  I  will  water 
my  couch  with  my  tears. 

My  eye  is  troubled  through  fury ;  I 
have  grown  old  among  all  my  enemies. 

Depart  from  me,  all  ye  that  work  ini- 
quity ;  for  the  Lord  hath  heard  the  voice 
of  my  weeping. 

The  Lord  hath  heard  my  petition :  the 
Lord  hath  received  my  prayer. 

Let  all  my  enemies  be  ashamed,  and 
very  much  troubled  ;  let  them  be  turned 
back,  and  be  ashamed  very  speedily 

Glory  be  to  the  Father,  &c. 

Psalm  xxxi.  Beati  qtuyrum. 

Blessed  are  they  whose  iniquities 
are  forgiven,  and  whose  sms  are  covered. 


l30  PENITENTIAL  PSALM*. 

Blessed  in  xuc  man  to  wnom  me  Lord 
hath  not  imputed  sin,  neither  is  there 
guile  in  his  spirit. 

Because  I  was  silent,  my  bones  grew 
okl ;  whilst  I  cried  all  the  day. 

For  day  and  night  thy  hand  was  heavj 
upon  me ;  I  am  converted  in  my  anguish 
whilst  the  thorn  is  fasteiied. 

I  have  acknowledged  my  sin  to  thee, 
and  my  injustice  I  have  not  concealed. 

I  said  1  will  confess  against  myself  my 
injustice  to  the  Lord ;  and  thou  hast  for- 
given the  impiety  of  my  sin. 

For  this  shall  every  one  that  is  holy 
pray  to  thee  in  a  seasonable  time. 

Yet  in  the  deluge  of  many  water?, 
they  shall  not  approach  him. 

Thou  art  my  refuge  from  the  tribula- 
tion which  hath  surrounded  me ;  my  joy, 
deliver  me  from  them  that  encompass  me. 

I  will  give  thee  understanding,  and  I 
will  instruct  thee  in  the  way  in  which 
thou  shalt  go ;  I  will  fix  my  eyes  upon 
lJ\ee. 

Do  not  become  as  the  horse  and  mult 
that  have  no  understanding. 

With  bit  and  bridle  bind  fast  their  jaws/ 
who  do  not  approach  thee. 

Many  are  the  scourges  of  a  sinner,  but 
mercy  shall  encompass  him  that  hopeth 
in  the  Lord. 


PENITENTIAL   PSALMS.  131 

Be  joyful  in  the  Lord,  and  rejoice,  ye 
just !  and  glory,  all  ye  right  of  heart  I 
Glory,  &c. 

Psalm  xxxvii.  Domine,  ne  in  furore. 

0  Lord,  rebuke  me  not  in  thy  fury, 
nor  chastise  me  in  thy  wrath. 

For  thy  arrows  are  fastened  in  me,  and 
thy  hand  hath  been  strong  in  me. 

There  is  no  health  in  my  flesh,  because 
of  thy  wrath ;  there  is  no  peace  for  my 
bones,  because  of  my  sins. 

For  my  iniquities  are  gone  over  my 
head ;  and  as  a  heavy  burden,  are  become 
heavy  upon  me. 

My  sores  are  putrefied  and  corrupted, 
because  of  my  foolishness. 

1  am  become  miserable,  and  am  bowed 
down  even  to  the  end  :  1  went  sorrowful 
all  the  day  long. 

For  my  loins  are  filled  with  illusions ; 
and  there  is  no  health  in  my  flesh. 

I    am  afllicted  and  humbled  exceed- 
ingly J  I  roared  with  the  groaning  of  my 
_  heart. 

%    O  Lord !  all  my  desire  is  before  thee, 
and  my  groaning  is  not  hid  from  thee. 

My  heart  is  troubled,  my  strength  hath 
left  me ;  and  the  light  of  my  eyes  itself  is 
Dot  with  me. 


132  PENITENTIAL  PSALMS. 

My  friends  and  my  neighbors  havf 
drawn  near,  and  stood  against  me. 

And  they  that  were  near  me  stood  afar 
off:  and  they  that  sought  my  soul  used 
violence. 

And  they  that  sought  evils  to  me,  spoke 
vain  things,  and  studied  deceit  all  the  day 
long. 

But  I,  as  one  deaf,  did  not  hear ;  and 
as  one  dumb,  that  openeth  not  his  mouth. 

And  I  became  as  a  man  that  hearetb 
not;  and  that  hath  no  reproofs  in  his 
mouth. 

For  in  thee,  O  Lord  !  have  I  hoped ; 
thou  wilt  hear  me,  O  Lord,  my  God ! 

For  I  said,  lest  at  any  time  my  ene- 
mies rejoice  over  me;  and  whilst  my  feet 
are  moved,  they  speak  great  things 
against  me. 

For  I  am  prepared  for  scourges,  and 
my  sorrow  is  always  in  my  sight. 

For  I  will  declare  my  iniquity  j  and  I 
•will  think  of  my  sin. 

But  my  enemies  live,  and  are  strength- 
ened over  me;  and  they  are  multiplied, 
who  hate  me  unjustly. 

And  they  that  return  evil  for  goodf 
have  detracted  me,  because  I  followed 
goodness. 

Forsake  me  not,  O  Lord  my  God !  d& 
part  not  from  me. 


PENITENTIAL  PSAJLMS.  133 

Attend  unto  my  help,  O  Lord,  the  God 
»f  my  salvation ! 
Glory,  &,c. 

Psalm  1.  Miserere. 

Have  mercy  on  me,  O  God !  according 
10  thy  great  mercy. 

And  accordin:^  to  the  multitude  of  thy 
tender  mercies,  blot  out  my  iniquity. 

Wash  me  yet  more  from  my  iniquity ; 
and  cleanse  me  from  my  sin. 

For  I  know  my  iniquity,  and  my  sin 
IS  always  before  me, 

To  thee  only  have  I  sinned,  and  have 
done  evil  before  thee,  that  thou  mayest 
be  justified  in  thy  words,  and  mayest 
overcome  when  thou  art  judged. 

For  behold  I  was  conceived  in  iniqui- 
ties; and  in  sins  hath  my  mother  con- 
ceived me. 

For  behold  thou  hast  loved  truth  :  the 
uncertain  and  hidden  things  of  thy  wis- 
dom thou  hast  made  manifest  to  me. 

Thou  shalt  sprinkle  me  with  hyssop, 
and  I  shall  be  cleansed ;  thou  shalt  wash 
me,  and  I  shall  be  made  whiter  than  snow. 

To  my  hearing  thou  shalt  give  joy  and 
gladness ;  and  the  bones  that  are  hum- 
bled shall  rejoice. 

Turn  away  thy  face  from  my  sins,  and 
blot  out  all  my  iniquities. 


134  PENITENTIAL  PSALMS. 

Create  a  clean  heart  in  me,  O  God' 
and  renew  a  right  spirit  within  my 
bowels. 

Cast  me  not  away  from  thy  face,  and 
take  not  thy  holy  spirit  from  me. 

Restore  unto  me  the  joy  of  thy  salva- 
tion, and  confirm  me  with  a  perfect 
spirit. 

I  will  teach  thy  ways  to  the  unjust; 
and  the  wicked  shall  be  converted  to  thee. 

DeUver  me  from  blood,  O  God,  the 
God  of  my  salvation !  and  my  tongue 
shall  extol  thy  justice. 

Thou,  O  Lord  !  wilt  open  my  lips,  and 
my  mouth  shall  declare  thy  praise. 

For  if  thou  hadst  desired  sacrifice, 
verily  I  had  given  it;  with  burnt-offerings 
thou  wilt  not  be  delighted. 

A  sacrifice  to  God  is  an  aflElicted  spirit ; 
a  contrite  and  humble  heart,  O  God! 
thou  wilt  not  despise. 

Deal  favorably,  O  Lord!  in  thy  good 
will  with  Sion,  that  the  walls  of  Jeru- 
salem may  be  built  up. 

Then  slialt  thou  accept  the  sacrifice  of 
justice,  oblations,  and  whole  burnt-offer- 
ings ;  then  shall  they  lay  calves  upon  thy 
altar. 

Glory,  &c. 


PENITENTIAL  PSALMS.  135 

Psalm  ci.  Domine,  exaiidi. 

0  Lord !  hear  my  prayer,  and  let  my 
cry  come  unto  thee. 

Turn  not  away  thy  face  from  me  -,  m 
what  day  soever  I  am  m  tribulation,  in- 
cline thine  ear  to  me. 

In  what  day  soever  I  shall  call  upon 
thee,  hear  me  speedily. 

For  my  days  are  vanished  as  smoke ; 
and  my  bones  are  withered  as  fuel  for 
the  fire. 

1  am  smitten  as  grass,  and  my  heart  is 
withered ;  because  I  forgot  to  cat  my  bread. 

Through  the  voice  of  my  groaning, 
my  bones  have  cleaved  to  my  flesh. 

1  am  become  as  a  pelic-au  of  the  wil- 
derness ;  I  am  become  as  a  night-raven 
in  the  house. 

I  have  watched,  and  am  become  as  a 
sparrow,  solitary  upon  the  house-top. 

All  the  day  long  my  enemies  upbraid- 
ed me,  and  they  that  praised  me,  did 
swear  against  me. 

For  I  did  eat  ashes  like  bread,  and 
mingled  my  drink  with  weeping. 

From  the  lace  of  thy  wrath  and  in- 
dignation, because  lifting  me  up  thou 
hast  thrown  me  down. 

My  days  have  declined  hke  a  shadow 
and  I  am  withered  as  grass. 


136  PENITENTIAL  PSALMS. 

But  thou,  O  Lord,  remainest  for  ever  • 
and  thy  memorial,  from  generation  to 
generation. 

Thou,  rising  up,  shalt  have  mercy  on 
Sion  ;  for  it  is  time  to  have  mercy  on  it, 
for  the  time  is  come. 

For  the  stones  thereof  have  pleaded 
thy  servants,  and  they  shall  have  pity  on 
the  earth  thereof. 

And  the  Gentiles  shall  fear  thy  name, 
O  Lord !  and  all  the  kings  of  the  earth 
thy  glory. 

For  the  Lord  hath  built  Sion ;  and  he 
shall  be  seen  in  his  glory. 

He  hath  regard  to  the  prayers  of  the 
humble  ;  and  he  hath  not  despised  their 
petition.  Let  these  things  be  written 
unto  another  generation  ;  and  the  people 
thai  shall  be  created  shall  praise  the  Lord. 

Because  he  hath  looked  forth  from  his 
high  sanctuary ;  the  Lord  from  heaven 
hath  looked  upon  the  earth. 

That  he  might  hear  the  groans  of  them 
that  are  in  fetters ;  that  he  might  unbind 
the  children  of  them  that  are  slain. 

That  they  may  declare  the  name  of 
the  Lord  in  Sion,  and  his  praise  in  Jem 
salem. 

In  the  assembling  of  the  people  to- 
gether in  one,  and  kings  to  serve  the 
Lord. 


PENITENTIAL  PSALMS.  137 

He  answered  him  in  the  way  of  his 
Btrength;  declare  unto  me  the  fewness  of 
my  days. 

Call  me  not  back  in  the  midst  of  my 
days.  Thy  years  are  unto  generation 
and  generation. 

In  the  beginning,  O  Lord!  thou 
foundedst  the  earth ;  and  the  heavens  are 
the  works  of  thy  hands. 

They  shall  perish,  but  thou  remainest; 
they  shall  grow  old  as  a  garment. 

And  as  a  vesture  thou  shalt  change 
them,  and  they  shall  be  changed :  but 
thou  art  always  the  self-same,  and  thy 
years  shall  not  fail. 

The  children  of  ihy  servants  shall  in- 
habit ;  and  their  seed  shall  be  directed  for 
ever. 

Glory,  &c. 

Psalm  cxxix.  De  Profimdis. 

From  the  depths  I  have  cried  to  thee, 
O  Lord  !  Lord  !  hear  my  voice. 

Let  thy  ears  be  attentive  to  the  voice 
of  my  petition. 

If  thou  wilt  observe  iniquities,  O  Lord! 
Lord!  who  shall  stand  it? 

For  with  thee,  there  is  merciful  for- 
giveness :  and  fc^r  thy  law  I  have  ex 
pected  thee,  O  Lord! 


l38  PENITENTIAL  PSALMS. 

My  soul  hatn  relied  on  his  word :  my 
soul  hath  hoped  in  the  Lord. 

From  the  morning  watch,  even  until 
night,  let  Israel  hope  in  the  Lord. 

Because  with  the  Lord  there  is  mercy, 
and  with  him  plentiful  redemption. 

And  he  shall  redeem  Israel  from  aJ 
his  iniquities. 

Glory,  &c. 

Fsalm  cxhi.  Bombie,  exaudi. 

0  Lord!  hear  my  prayer,  with  thine 
ears  receive  my  petition  in  thy  truth, 
hear  me  in  thy  justice. 

And  enter  not  into  judgment  with  thy 
servant ;  for  no  man  living  sliall  be  justi- 
fied in  thy  sight. 

For  the  enemy  haih  persecuted  my 
soul;  he  hath  humbled  my  life  in  the 
earth. 

He  hath  made  me  dwell  in  darkness, 
ds  those  who  have  been  dead  of  old ;  and 
my  spirit  is  in  anguish  upon  me,  ray 
heart  is  troubled  wiiliin  me. 

1  was  mindful  of  the  ancient  days,  I 
meditated  on  all  thy  works  ;  on  the  works 
of  thy  hands  did  1  meditate. 

1  stretclied  forth  my  hand  to  thee ;  my 
soul  is  as  earth  without  water  unto  thee. 

Hear  me  speedily,  O  Lord !  my  spirit 
hath  fainted  away. 


PENITENTIAL  PSALMS.  1,?9 

Turn  not  away  thy  face  from  me,  lest 
I  be  like  unto  them  that  go  down  into  the 
pit. 

Cause  me  to  hear  thy  mercy  in  ihu 
morning,  for  I  hoped  in  thee. 

Make  the  way  known  to  me  wherein 
I  should  walk  j  for  I  have  lifted  up  my 
soul  to  thee. 

Deliver  me  from  my  enemies,  O  Lord  ! 
tc  thee  have  I  fled ;  teach  me  to  do  thy 
will,  for  thou  art  my  God. 

Thy  good  Spirit  shall  conduct  me  into 
the  right  land ;  for  thy  name's  sake,  O 
Lord !  thou  wilt  enliven  me  in  thy 
equity. 

Thou  wilt  bring  my  soul  out  of  tribu- 
lation ;  and  in  thy  mercy,  thou  wilt  de 
stroy  my  enemies. 

And  thou  wilt  destroy  all  them  that 
afflict  my  soulj  for  I  am  thy  servant. 

Glory,  &c. 


Remember  not,  O  Lord !  our  offences, 
oor  those  of  our  parents,  and  take  not  re 
renge  of  our  sins. 


140  TH£  LITANY  OF  SAINTS. 


THE  LITANY  OF  SAINTS. 

Lord !  have  mercy  on  us. 
Christ:  have  mercy  on  us. 
Lord !  have  mercy  on  us. 
Christ!  hear  us,  Christ!  graciously  hear  us. 
God  the  Father  of  heaven,  have  mercy  on  v». 
God  the   Son,  Redeemer  of  the  world, 

have  mercy  on  us. 
Gt)d  the  Holy  Ghost,  have  mercy  on  us. 
Holy  Trinity  one  God,  have  mercy  on  us. 
Holy  Mary, 
Holy  Mother  of  God, 
Holy  Virgin  of  Virgins, 
St.  Michael, 
St.  Gabriel, 
St.  Raphael, 

All  ye  holy  Angels  and  Archano-els, 
All  ye  holy  Orders  of  blessed  Spirits, 
St.  John  Baptist, 
St.  Joseph, 

All  ye  holy  Patriarchs  and  Prophets, 
St.  Peter, 
St.  Paul, 
St.  Andrew, 
St.  James, 
St.  John, 
St.  Thomas, 
St.  James, 
St.  Philip, 


> 


Dopier  .;.  '  '■  -  a  Pari^ 

S^ 'VINCENT  DE  PAL^L. 


THE  LITANY  OF  SAINTS.  141 

St.  Bartholomew, 

St.  Matthew, 

St.  Simon, 

St.  Thaddaeus, 

St.  Matthias, 

St.  Barnaby, 

St.  Luke, 

St.  Mark, 

All  ye  holy  Apostles  and  Evangelists, 

All  ye  holy  Disciples  of  our  Lord, 

All  ve  holy  Innocents, 

St.  Stephen, 

St.  Laurence, 

St.  Vincent, 

St.  Fabian  and  St.  Sebastian, 

St.  John  and  St.  Paul, 

St.  Cosmas  and  St.  Damian, 

St.  Gervaise  and  St.  Protase, 

All  ye  holy  Martyrs, 

St.  Sylvester, 

St.  Gregory, 

St.  Ambrose, 

St.  Augustine, 

St.  Jerome, 

St.  Nicholas, 

St.  Martin, 

All  ye  Holy  Bishops  and  Confessors, 

All  ye  holy  Doctors, 

St.  Anthony, 

St.  Bennet, 

St.  Bernard, 


I 


142  THE  LITANY   OF  SAINTS. 

St.  Dominick, 

St.  Francis, 

All  ye  holy  Priests  and  Levites, 

All  ye  holy  Monks  and  Hermits, 

St.  Mary  Magdalen, 

St.  Agatha, 

St.  Lucy, 

St.  Agnes, 

St.  Cecily, 

St.  Catharine, 

St.  Anastasia, 

All  ye  holy  Virgins  and  Widows, 

All  ye  Men  and  Women,  Saints  of  God, 
make  intercession  for  us. 

Be  merciful  unto  us.    Spare  us,  O  Lord ! 

Be  merciful  unto  us.    Graciously  hear  us, 
OLord! 

From  all  evil. 

From  all  sin. 

From  thy  wrath. 

From    a   sudden    and    unprovided 
death. 

From  the  deceits  of  the  Devil, 

From  anger,  hatred,  and  all  ill-will. 

From  the  spirit  of  Fornication, 

From  Lightning  and  Tempest, 

From  everlasting  death. 

Through  the  mystery  of  thy  holy  In- 
carnation, 

Through  thy  Coming, 

Through  thy  Nativity, 


O 


THE  MTAlVr  or  SAINTS.  143 


Through    thy  Baptism    and    Holy" 

Fasting, 
Through  thy  Cross  and  Passion, 
Through  thy  Death  and  Burial, 
Through  thy  Holy  Resurrection, 
Through  thy  admirable  Ascension, 
Through   the   coming   of  the  Holy 

Ghost,  the  Comforter, 
fa  the  Day  of  Judgment, 

We  sinners.  Do  beseech  thee  to  hear  us. 

That  thou  spare  us.  We  beseech  thee  to 
^lear  us. 

That  thou  pardon  us.  We  beseech  thee 
to  hear  us. 

That  thou  vouchsafe  to  govern 
and  preserve  thy  holy  Church, 

That  thou  vouchsafe  to  preserve 
our  Apostolic  Prelate,  and  all  Eccle- 
siastical Orders,  in  thy  holy  reli- 
gion. 

That  thou  vouchsafe  to  humble 
the  Enemies  of  thy  holy  Church, 

That  thou  vouchsafe  lo  give  peace 
and  true  concord  to  Christian  kings 
and  princes. 

That  thou  vouchsafe  to  grant 
peace  and  unity  to  all  Christian  peo- 
ple. 

That  thou  vouchsafe  to  confirm 
and  preserve  us  in  thy  holy  service,^ 


144  THE  LITANY  OF  SAINTS. 

That  thou  lift  u.p  our  minds  to 
heavenlj^  desires. 

That  thou  render  eternal  good 
things  to  all  our  benefactors. 

That  thou  deliver  our  souls,  and 
those  of  our  brethren,  kinsfolks,  and 
benefactors,  from  eternal  damnation. 

That  thou  vouchsafe  to  give  and 
preserve  the  fruits  of  the  earth. 

That  thou  vouchsafe  to  give  eter- 
nal rest  to  all  the  Faithful  departed. 

That  thou  vouchsafe  graciously  to 
hear  us,  So-n  of  God, 

Lamb  of  God,  who  takest  away'tlie 
sins  of  the  world,  -Spare  M5,  O  Lord  ! 

Lamb  of  God,  who  takest  away  the 
sins  of  the  world.  Hear  us,  O  Lord ! 

Lamb  of  God,  who  takest  away  the 
sins  of  the  worKi,  Have  mercy  on  us. 

Christ  hear  us ;  Christ  graciously  hear 
us. 

Lord  have  mercy  on  us;  Christ  have 
mercy  on  us ;  Lord  have  mercy  on  us. 

Our  Father,  &c.,  in  secret. 

V.  And  lead  us  not  into  tf^mptation. 

JR.  But  deliver  us  from  evil.  Amen. 

Psalm  Ixix. 
Incline    unto   my    aid,   O  God!    O 
Lard!  make  haste  to  help  me. 


THE  LITAKY  OP  SAINTS.  145 

Let  them  be  confounded  and  ashamed 
that  seek  my  soul. 

Let  ihera  be  turned  backward  ana 
nlush  for  shame,  that  desire  evils  to 
me. 

Let  them  be  turned  backward  and  blush 
for  shame,  that  say  to  me,  'Tis  well,  'lis 
well. 

Let  all  that  seek  thee,  rejoice  and  be 
glad  m  thee ;  and  let  such  as  love  ihy  sal- 
vation say  always,  the  Lord  be  magnified. 

But  I  am  needy  and  poor,  O  God! 
help  me. 

Thou  art  m.y  helper  and  my  deliverer 
O  Lord!  make  no  delay.     Glory  be    to 
the  Father,  &c. 

V.  Save  thy  servants. 

R.  Trusting  in  thee,  O  my  God ! 

F.  Be  unto  us,  O  God!  a  tower  of 
strength. 

R.  From  the  face  of  the  enemy. 

V.  Let  not  the  enemy  prevail  against 

U9. 

R.  Nor  the  son  of  iniquity  have  power 
to  hurt  us. 

V.  O  Lord !  deal  not  with  us  accord- 
ing to  our  sins. 

R.  Neither  reward  us  according-  to  o""^ 
miquities. 

V.  Let  us  pray  for  our  chief  bishop,  JV. 

R.  The  Lord  preserve  him,  and  give 
10 


»46  THE  LITANY  OF  SAINTS, 

him  life,  and  make  him  blessed  upon 
earth,  and  deliver  him  not  to  the  will  of 
his  enemies. 

F".  Let  us  pray  for  our  benefactors. 

R.  Vouchsafe,  O  Lord!  for  thy  name's 
sake,  to  reward  with  eternal  life  all  those 
who  have  done  us  good. 

V.  Let  us  pray  for  the  faithful  departed. 

JR.  Eternal  rest  give  to  them,  O  Lord . 
and  let  perpetual  light  shine  upon  them. 

V.  May  they  rest  in  peace.  jR.  t^rnen. 

V.  For  our  absent  brethren. 
U.  O  my  God !  save  thy  servants  trust, 
mg  in  thee. 

V.  Send  them  help,  O  Lord!  from  thy 
holy  place. 

JR.  And  from  Sion  protect  them. 

V.  O  Lord!  hear  my  prayer. 

R.  And  let  my  cry  come  unto  thee. 

Let  us  pray. 

O  God  !  whose  property  is  always  to 
show  mercy  and  to  forgive,  receive  our 
petitions  :  that  we  and  all  thy  servants, 
who  are  bound  by  the  chains  of  sin,  may, 
by  the  compassion  of  thy  goodness,  mer 
cifuUy  be  absolved. 

Hear,  we  beseech  thee,  O  Lord !  the 
prayers  of  thy  suppliants,  and  pardon  the 
sins  of  them  that  confess  to  thee  ;  that  in 
thy  bounty  thou  may  est  give  us  paraoD 
and  peace. 


THE  LITANY  OF  SAINTS.  147 

Out  of  thy  clemency,  O  Lord!  show 
thy  unspeakable  mercy  to  us,  that  so 
thou  mayest  both  acquit  us  of  our  sins, 
and  deliver  us  from  the  punishments 
which  we  deserve  for  them. 

O  God  !  who  by  sin  art  offended,  and 
by  penance  pacified,  mercifully  regard  the 
prayers  of  thy  people,  making  supplica- 
tions to  thee,  and  turn  away  the  scourges 
of  thy  anger,  which  we  deserve  for  our 
sins. 

O  ALMIGHTY  and  eternal  God!  have 
mercy  on  thy  servant  JV.,  our  chief 
bishop,  and  direct  him,  according  to  thy 
clemency,  into  the  way  of  everlasting 
salvation ;  that  by  thy  grace  he  may  de- 
sire those  things  that  are  agreeable  to 
thee,  and  perform  them  with  all  his 
strength. 

O  God!  from  whom  proceed  holy 
desires,  right  counsels,  and  just  works, 
give  to  thy  servants  that  peace  which  the 
world  cannot  give ;  that  both  our  hearts 
may  be  disposed  to  keep  thy  command- 
ments, and  the  fear  of  enemies  being  re- 
inoved,  the  times,  through  thy  protection, 
may  be  peaceable. 

Inflame,  O  Lord!  our  reins  and 
Hearts  with  the  fire  of  thy  Holy  Spirit, 
that  we  may  serve  thee  with  a  chaste 
body,  and  please  thee  with  a  clean  heart 


148  THE  LITANY  OF  SAINTS. 

O  God!  the  Creator  and  Redeemer 
of  all  the  faithful,  give  to  the  souls  of 
thy  servants  departed,  the  remission  of 
all  their  sins :  that,  through  pious  sup- 
plications, they  may  obtain  the  pardon 
which  they  have  always  desired. 

Prevent,  we  beseech  thee,  O  Lord! 
our  actions,  by  thy  holy  inspirations,  and 
carry  them  on  by  thy  gracious  assistance  : 
that  every  prayer  and  work  of  ours  may 
begin  always  from  thee,  and  by  thee  be 
happily  ended. 

O  ALMiGHTT  and  eternal  God!  who 
hast  dominion  over  the  living  and 
the  dead,  and  art  merciful  to  all  whom 
thou  foreknowest  shall  be  thine  by  faith 
and  good  works :  we  humbly  beseech 
thee,  that  they  for  whom  we  have  pro- 
posed to  offer  up  our  prayers,  whether 
this  present  world  still  retains  them  in 
the  flesh,  or  the  world  to  come  hath  al- 
ready received  therh  out  of  their  bodies, 
may,  by  the  clemency  of  thy  goodness, 
all  thy  saints  interceding  for  them,  obtain 
pardon  and  full  remission  of  all  their  sins  j- 
through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  thy  Son, 
who  Tiveth  and  reigneth  one  God  with 
thee  and  the  Holy  Ghost,  world  without 
end.     Amen. 

V.  O  Lord !  hear  my  prayer. 

jR.  And  let  my  cry  come  unto  thee. 


SoiT.beKold    r'h.\'-  Mofhei 


THE  ROSARY.                            149 

V.  May  the  almiglitj'  and  merciful 
Lord  graciously  hear  us. 

R.  Amen. 

V.  And  may  the  souls  of  the  faithful, 
through  the  mercy  of  God,  rest  in  peace. 

R.  Amen, 

THE 

ROSARY 

OF 

THE  BLESSED  VIRGIN. 


Bi  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son, 
and  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  Amen. 

Vers.  Hail,  Mary,  full  of  grace !  the 
Lord  is  with  thee. 

Resp.  Blessed  art  thou  amongst  wo- 
men, and  blessed  is  the  fruit  of  thy 
womb,  Jesus. 

Vers.  Thou,  O  Lord!  wilt  open  my 
hps. 

Resp.  And  my  tongue  shall  announce 
ihy  praise. 


l50  THE  ROSARY  OP 

Vers.  Incline  unto  my  aid,  O  God! 

Resp.  O  Lord !  make  haste  to  help  me. 

Glory  be  to  the  Father,  and  to  the  Son, 
and  to  the  Holy  Ghost. 

As  it  was  in  the  beginning,  is  now, 
and  ever  shall  be.    Amen.  Alleluia. 

From  Septuagesima  to  Easter,  instead 
^Alleluia;  say.  Praise  be  to  thee,  O 
Lord,  King  of  eternal  glory. 

THE  FIRST  PART. THE  FIVE  JOYFUL  MY9 

TERIES.* 

The  First  Mystery — Tlie  Incaiviation, 

Let  us  contemplate  in  this  mystery, 
how  the  Angel  Gabriel  saluted  our  bless- 
ed Lady,  with  the  title  of  Full  of  Grace  ; 
and  declared  unto  her  the  incarnation  of 
our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ. 

Then  say,  Our  Father,  &c.  once.    Hail 
Mary,  &c.  ten  times. 

['Vhen  the  Hail  Mary  is  repeated  a  tenth 
time,  the  Decade  finishes  with  Glory  be  to 
the  Father,  &c. ;  then  the  pratjer.-f 

*  The  five  mysteries  of  the  first  part,  called 
Joyful,  are  said  on  all  Mondays  and  Thursdays, 
the  Sundays  of  Advent,  and  those  after  Epi- 
phany, until  Lent. 

•}■  This  method  is  to  be  observed  in  begiiv 
ning  and  saying  each  part  of  the  Rosary. 


THE  BLESSED  VIRGIN.  151 

Let  US  pray. 

O  HOLY  Mary,  Q,ueen  of  Virgins! 
by  the  most  high  mystery  of  the  incarna- 
tion of  thy  beloved  Son,  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  by  which  our  salvation  was  so 
happily  begun,  obtain  for  us,  by  thy  in- 
tercession, light  to  know  this  so  great  a 
benefit,  which  he  had  bestowed  Upon  us ; 
vouchsafing  in  it  to  make  himself  our  bro- 
ther, and  ihee,  his  own  most  beloved  mo- 
ther, our  nwther  also.  Amen. 

II. THE  VISITATION. 

Let  us  contemplate  in  this  mystery, 
how  the  blessed  Virgin  Mary,  under- 
standing from  the  Angel,  that  her  cousin, 
■3t.  Elizabeth,  had  conceived,  went  with 
haste  to  the  mountains  of  Judea  to  visit 
her,  and  remained  with  her  three  months. 
Our  Father,  SfC. 

Let  us  pray. 

O  HOLY  Virgin,  most  spotless  mirror 
of  humihty !  by  that  exceeding  charity, 
which  moved  thee  to  visit  thy  cousin,  St. 
Elizabeth,  obtain  for  us  by  thy  interces- 
sion, that  our  hearts  may  be  so  visited  by 
thy  most  holy  Son,  that  being  free  from 
all  sin,  we  may  praise  him,  and  give  him 
thanks  for  ever.  Amen. 


152  THE  ROSARY  OF 

III. THE      BIRTH     OF     OUR     LORD     JESUS 

CHRIST  IN  BETHLEHEM. 

Let  us  contemplate  in  this  mystery, 
how  the  blessed  Virgin  Mary,  when  the 
time  of  her  delivery  was  come,  brought 
forth  our  Redeemer,  Jesus  Christ,  at  mid- 
night, and  laid  him  in  a  manger,  because 
there  was  no  room  for  him  in  the  inns  at 
Bethlehem.  Oar  Father,  ^^c. 

Let  us  pray. 

O  MOST  pure  mother  of  God!  by  thy 
virginal  and  most  joyful  delivery,  in 
which  thou  gavest  unto  the  world  thy 
only  Son,  our  Saviour,  we  beseech  thee 
obtain  for  us,  by  thy  intercession,  grace 
to  lead  such  pure  and  holy  lives  in  this 
world,  that  we  may  ^vorthily  sing  with- 
out ceasing,  both  day  and  night,  the  mer- 
cies of  thy  Son,  and  his  benefits  to  us  by 
thee.     Amen. 

IV. THE  OBLATION  OF  OUR  BLESSED  LORD 

IN  THE  TEMPLE. 

Let  us  contemplate  in  this  mystery, 
now  the  most  blessed  Virgin  Mary,  on  the 
day  of  her  Purification,  presented  the 
child  Jesus  in  the  temple,  where  holy 
Simeon,  giving  thanks  to  God  with  great 
devotion,  received  him  into  his  arms. 
Our  Father,  4*c« 


THE  BLESSEV3  VIRGIN.  l5l 

Let  US  pray. 

O  HOLT  Virgin!  most  admirable  mis- 
tress and  pattern  of  obedience,  who  didst 
present  in  the  temple,  the  Lord  of  the 
temple,  obtain  for  us  of  thy  beloved  Son, 
that,  with  holy  Simeon  and  devout  Ann, 
we  may  praise  and  glorify  him  for  ever. 
Amen. 

V. — THE  FINDING  OF  THE   CHILD  JESUS  IN 
THE  TEMPLE. 

Let  us  contemplate  in  tliis  mystery, 
now  the  blessed  Virgin  Mary,  having  lost, 
without  any  fault  of  hers,  her  beloved  Soq 
in  Jerusalem,  sought  him  for  the  space 
of  three  days,  and  at  length  found  him  in 
the  temple,  in  the  midst  of  the  doctors, 
disputing  with  them,  being  of  the  age  of 
twelve  years.     Our  Father,  4^c. 

Let  us  pray. 
Most  blessed  Virgin !  more  than  Mar- 
tyr in  thy  sufferings,  and  yet  the  comfort 
of  such  as  are  afflicted  !  by  that  unspeak- 
able joy  wherewith  thy  soul  was  ravished 
in  finding  thy  beloved  Son  in  the  temple, 
in  the  midst  of  the  doctors,  disputing  Avith 
them,  obtain  of  him  for  us,  so  to  seek 
him,  and  to  find  him  in  the  holy  Catho- 
lic church,  that  we  may  never  be  sepa- 
»ated  fiom  him.  Ameii. 


154 


THE  ROSARY  OF 


THE  SALVE  REGINA. 


Hail  !  holy  Glueen,  mother  of  mercy, 
our  life,  our  sweetness,  and  our  hope !  to 
thee  we  cry,  poor  banished  sons  of  Eve, 
to  thee  we  send  up  our  sighs,  mourning, 
and  weeping,  in  this  valley  of  tears;  turn, 
then,  most  gracious  advocate,  thy  eyes  of 
mercy  towards  us,  and  after  this  our  exile 
is  ended,  show  unto  us  the  blessed  fruit 
of  thy  womb,  Jesus;  O  clement!  O 
pious !  O  sweet  Virgin  Mary ! 

Vers.  Pray  for  us,  holy  mother  of  God ! 

Resp.  That  we  may  be  made  worthy  ol 
the  promises  of  Christ. 

Let  vs  pray. 

O  God  !  whose  only  begotten  Son,  by 
his  life,  death,  and  resurrection,  has  pur- 
chased for  us  the  rewards  of  eternal  life, 
grant,  we  beseech  thee,  that,  meditating 
upon  those  mysteries  in  the  most  holy 
Rosary  of  the  most  blessed  Virgin  Mary, 
we  may  imitate  what  they  contain,  aod 
obtain  what  they  promise;  through  the 
same  Christ  our  Lord.  Aineii. 


THE  BLESSED  VIRGIN.  155 

27ie  Second    Part. — T7ie   Jive  Dolorous 
Mysteries.* 

I. THL     PRATER      AND     BLOODY      SWEAT 

OF     OUR      BLESSED      SAVIOUR     IN      THE 
GARDEN. 

Let  us  contemplate  in  this  mystery, 
how  our  Lord  Jesus  was  so  afflicted  for 
us  in  the  garden  of  Gethsemani,  that  his 
body  was  bathed  in  a  bloody  sweat, 
which  ran  trickling  down  in  great  drops 
to  the  ground. 

Ckir  Father,  8,-6.  Hail  Mary,  4'C. 
Glory,  ^'c,  as  before. 

Let  us  pray. 

Most  holy  Virgin,  more  than  Martyr ! 
by  that  ardent  prayer,  which  thy  most 
beloved  Son  poured  forth  unto  his  Father 
in  the  garden,  vouchsafe  to  intercede  for 
us,  that  our  passions  being  reduced  to 
the  obedience  of  reason,  we  may  always, 
and  in  all  things,  conform  and  subject 
ourselves  to  the  will  of  God.  Amen. 

*  These  five  mysteries,  of  the  second  part, 
called  Dolorous  or  Sorrowful,  are  said  on 
Tuesdays  and  Fridays  throughout  the  year, 
and  on  Sundays  in  Lent 


156         THE  ROSARY  OP 

n. — THE  SCOURGING  OP  OUR  Bl^ESSE^ 
LORD  AT  THE  PILLAR. 

Let  us  contemplate  in  this  mystery, 
how  our  blessed  Lord  Jesus  Chnst,  al'ter 
being  derided,  calumniated,  bufteted,  and 
ailed  with  reproaches,  was  by  Pilate's 
order  most  cruelly  scourged,  and  thus 
abandoned  to  the  fury  of  the  Jews. 

Our  FatJier,  ^*c. 

Let  us  pray. 

O  MOTHER  of  God,  overflowing  Foun^ 
tain  of  patience!  by  those  stripes  thy 
only  and  most  beloved  Son  vouchsafed 
to  suffer  for  us ;  obtain  of  him  for  U3 
grace,  that  we  may  know  how  to  mortify 
our  rebellious  ;"enses,  and  to  cut  off  all 
occasions  of  sin.\ing,  with  that  sword  of 
grief  and  compassion,  which  pierced  thy 
most  tender  soul.  Amen. 

III. THE  CROWNING  OF  OUR  BLESSED  S-\- 

VIOUR  WITH  THORNS. 

Let  us  contemplate  in  this  mystery, 
how  those  cruel  ministers  of  Satan,  plat- 
ted a  crown  of  thorns,  and  most  cruelly 
pressed  it  on  the  head  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ. 

Our  Father,  Sfc. 

IM  lis  pray. 

O  mother  of  our  eternal  Prince  and 
King  of  glory!    by  those   sharp  thorni 


THE  BLESSED  VIRGIN.  157 

wherewith  his  holy  head  was  pierced, 
we  beseech  thee,  that,  by  thy  interces- 
sion, we  may  be  delivered  here,  from  all 
motions  of  pride,  and  in  the  day  of  judg- 
ment, from  that  confusion  which  our  sins 
deserve.  Amen. 

IV. — JESUS  CARRYING  THE  CROS? 

Let  us  contemplate  in  this  mystery, 
how  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  being  sen- 
tenced to  die,  bore,  with  the  most  amaz- 
ing patience,  the  cross,  which  was  laid 
upon  him  for  his  greater  torment  and 
ignominy. 

Our  Father,  Sec. 

Let  us  pray. 

O  HOLY  Virgin,  example  of  patience! 
by  the  most  painful  carrying  of  the  cross, 
in  which  thy  Son.  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
bore  the  heavy  weight  of  our  sins,  ob- 
tain of  him  for  us,  by  thy  intercession, 
courage  and  strength  to  follow  his  steps, 
and  bear  our  cross  after  him  to  the  end  of 
^our  lives.  Amen. 

V. — THE    CRUCIFIXION    OF    OUR   LORD   JE- 
SUS  CHRIST. 

Let  us  contemplate  in  this  mystery, 
how  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ, 
bfcing  come  to  Mount  Calvary,  was  strip- 


158  THE  ROSARY  OP 

ped  of  his  clothes,  and  his  hands  and  feet 
most  cruelly  nailed  to  the  cross,  in  the 
presence  of  his  most  afflicted  mother. 
Let  us  pray. 

O  HOLY  Mary,  Mother  of  God !  as  the 
body  of  thy  blessed  Son  was  for  us  ex- 
tended on  the  cross,  so  may  our  desires 
be  daily  more  and  more  stretched  out  in 
his  service,  and  our  hearts  wounded  with 
compassion  for  his  most  bitter  passion. 
And  thou,  O  most  blessed  Virgin !  gra- 
ciously vouchsafe  to  help  us  to  accomplish 
the  work  of  our  salvation,  by  thy  power- 
ful intercession.  Amen. 

Hail,  holy  Q,ueen,  &c.,  with  the  verse 
and  prayer  as  above. 

Tlte  Third  Part.— The  five  Glorious  Mys- 
teries.* 

I. — THE    RESURRECTION   OF  CHRIST  FROM 
THE  DEAD. 

Let  us  contemplate  in  this  mystery, 
how  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  triumphing 
gloriously  over  death,  rose  again  the  thira 
day,  immortal  and  impassable. 

Our  Father,  8fC.  Hail  Mary,  ^c.  Glory^, 
^c,  as  before. 

*  These  mysteries  are  assigned  for  Wednes. 
days  and  Saturdays  throughout  the  year,  and 
for  Sundays  from  Easter  until  Advent. 


THE  BLESSED  VIRGIIf.  159 

Let  us  pray. 

O  GLORIOUS  Virgin  Mary  !  by  that  un- 
speakable joy  thou  receivedst  in  the  re- 
surrection of  thy  only  Son,  we  beseech 
tJiee  obtain  of  him  for  us,  that  our  hearts 
may  never  go  astray  after  the  false  joys 
ot  this  world,  but  may  be  ever  and 
wholly  employed  in  the  pursuit  of  the 
only  true  and  solid  joys  of  heaven. 
tdmen. 

n. — THE    ASCENSION  OF  CHRIST  INTO 
HEAVEN. 

Let  us  contemplate  in  this  mystery, 
how  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  forty  days 
after  his  resurrection,  ascended  into  hea- 
ven, attended  by  angels,  in  the  sight  of  his 
most  holy  mother,  his  holy  apostles  and 
disciples,  to  the  great  admiration  ci"  them 
:all. 

Our  Father,  ^c. 

Let  us  pray. 

O  MOTHER  of  God !  comfort  of  the  af- 
flicted !  as  thy  beloved  Son,  when  he  as- 
cended into  heaven,  lifted  up  his  hands 
;and  blessed  his  apostles ;  so  vouchsafe^ 
most  holy  Mother !  to  lift  up  thy  pure 
hands  to  him  for  us,  that  we  may  enjoy 
the  benefit  of  his  blessing  and  thine,  here 
on  earth,  and  hereafter  in  heaven.  *inien. 


160  THE  ROSARY  OP 

III. THE  COMING  OF  THE  HOLY  GHOST  TO 

THE  DISCIPLES. 

Let  us  contemplate  in  this  mystery, 
how  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  being  seated 
at  the  right  hand  of  God,  sent,  as  he  had 
promised,  the  Holy  Ghost  upon  the  apos- 
tles, who,  after  he  was  ascended,  return- 
ing to  Jerusalem,  continued  in  prayei 
and  supplic<ition  with  the  blessed  Virgin 
Mary,  expecting  the  performance  of  his 
promise. 

Our  Father f  8fc. 

Let  us  pray. 

O  SACRED  Virgin,  tabernacle  of  the- 
Holy  Ghostj  we  beseech  thee  obtain,  by 
thy  intercession,  that  this  most  sweet 
Comforter,  whom  thy  beloved  Son  sent 
down  upon  his  aposties,  filling  them 
thereby  with  spiritual  joy,  may  teach  us 
in  this  world  the  true  way  of  salvation, 
and  make  us  walk  in  the  paths  of  virtue 
and  good  works.  Amen. 

IV. THE    ASSUMPTION     OF    THE    BLESSED 

VIRGIN  MARY  INTO  HEAVEN. 

Let  us  contemplate  in  this  mystery,  ^ 
how  the  glorious  Virgin,  twelve  years  « 
after  the  resurrection  of  the  Son,  passed  r 
out  of  this  world  unto  him,  and  was  by 


THE  BLESSED  VIRGIN.  161 

Ktm  assumed  into  heaven,  accompanied  by 
the  holy  angels. 
Our  Father,  fyc. 

Let  us  pray. 

O  MOST  prudent  Virgin !  who,  entering 
mto  the  heavenly  palace,  didst  fill  the  holy 
angels  with  joy,  and  man  with  hope, 
vouchsafe  to  intercede  for  us  at  the  hour 
of  death,  that,  free  from  the  illusions  and 
temptations  of  the  Devil,  we  may  joyfully 
and  successfully  pass  out  of  this  tempo- 
ral state,  to  enjoy  the  happiness  of  eter- 
aal  life.  Amen. 

ft. THE       CORONATION      OF      THE       MOST 

BLESSED    VIRGIN    MARY    IN    HEAVEN. 

Let  us  contemplate  in  this  mystery, 
low  the  glorious  Virgin  Mary  was,  with 
ID  (;;reat  jubilee,  and  exultation  of  the  whole 
iourt  of  heaven,  and  particular  glory  of 
U  the  saints,  crowned  hv  her  Son,  with 
"le  brightest  diadem  of  glory. 
Our  Father,  4'C. 

Let  us  pray. 

O  GLORIOUS  dueen  of  all  heavenly 

litizens!  we    beseech  thee,  accept  this 

losary,  which,  as  a  crown  of  roses,  we 

ffer  at  thy  feet,  and  grant,  most  gracious 

.ady !  that,  by  thy  intercession,  our  souia 

liiay  be  inflamed  with  so  ardent  a  desire 

11 


162  PRATERS  FOR  NIGHT. 

of  seeing  thee  so  gloriously  crowned', 
that  it  may  never  die  in  us,  until  it  he 
changed  into  the  happy  fruition  of  thy 
blessed  sight.  Amen. 

Hail,  Holy  dueen,  &c.,  with  tlie  verst 
and  prayer  as  before. 


PRATERS  FOR  NIGHT. 

t 
In  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the 
Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  Amen, 

Blessed  be  the  holy  and  undivided 
Trinity,  now  and  for  evermore. — 
Amen. 

Come,  O  Holy  Ghost !  replenish  the 
hearts  of  thy  faithful,  and  kindle  in 
them  the  fire  of  thy  divine  love. 

Let  us  place  ourselves  in  the  pre* 
sence  of  God,  and  humbly  adore  hinu 

Great  God  !  the  Lord  of  heaven  and 
earth!  I  prostrate  myself  before  thee. 
With  all  the  angels  and  saints,  I  adore 
thee.  I  acknowledge  thee  to  be  my 
Creator  and  sovereign  Lord,  my  first 


PRAYERS  FOR  NIGHT.  163 

beginning  and  last  end.  I  render  to 
thee  the  homage  of  my  being  and  life. 
I  submit  myself  to  thy  holy  will,  and 
I  devote  myself  to  thy  divine  service 
now  and  for  ever. 

AN  ACT  OF  FAITH. 

O  MY  God !  I  firmly  believe  all  the  sa- 
cred truths,  which  thy  holy  Cathohc 
church  believes  and  teaches;  because 
diou  hast  revealed  them,  who  neither 
canst  deceive  nor  be  deceived. 

AN  ACT  OF  HOPE. 

O  MY  God!  relying  on  thy  mfinite 
goodness  and  promises,  I  hope  to  obtain 
pardon  for  my  sins,  the  assistance  of  thy 
grace,  and  hfe  everlasting,  through  the 
merits  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus 
Christ. 

AN  ACT  OF  LOVE. 

O  MY  God !  I  love  thee  above  all  things 
with  my  whole  heart  and  soul,  purely  be- 
cause thou  art  infinitely  perfect  and  de- 
serving of  all  love.  I  love  also  my  neigh- 
bour as  myself,  for  the  love  of  thee.  1 
forgive  all  who  have  injured  me,  and  ask 
pardon  of  all  whom  I  haTe  injured. 


164  PRAYERS  FOR  NIGHT. 

Let  US  return  thanks  to   God  for  thi 
favours  bestowed  on  us. 

PRAYER. 

How  shall  I  be  able  to  thank  thee, 
O  Lord,  for  all  thy  favours  ?  thou  hast 
thought  of  me  from  all  eternity ;  thou 
hast  brought  me  forth  from  nothing; 
thou  hast  given  thy  life  to  redeem 
me,  and  thou  continuest  still  daily  to 
load  me  with  thy  favours.  Alas !  my 
God !  what  return  can  I  make  thee  for 
all  thy  benefits,  and  particularly  for  the 
favours  of  this  day?  Join  me,  ye 
blessed  spirits,  and  all  ye  elect,  in 
praising  the  God  of  mercies,  who  is  so 
bountiful  to  so  unworthy  a  creature. 

Let  us  beg  of  God  to  make  known  our 
sins  to  us. 

PRAYER. 

O  Holy  Ghost,  eternal  source  of 
light,  remove  my  darkness,  and  dispeL 
those  shades  that  hide  from  me  the  filth 
and  enormity  of  my  offences.  Show 
me,  I  beseech  thee,  the  sins  I  have  this 
day  committed,  in  thought,  word,  and 


PRATERS  FOR  NIGHT.  165 

action.  Grant  me  a  feeling  sense  of 
them,  that  I  may  detest  them  all  from 
the  bottom  of  my  heart,  and  dread  no- 
thing so  much  as  ever  to  commit  them 
hereafter. 

Let  us  examine  our  consciences^  and 
consider  ichere  toe  have  been  this  day^ 
and  in  what  company.  Let  us  call  to 
mind  the  duties  of  our  state  and  our 
dijferent  offences. 

*^gainst  God :  By  omissions,  negli- 
gence in  our  religious  duties,  irrever- 
ence in  the  Church,  wilful  distraction 
m  prayer,  faults  in  our  intentions,  re- 
sistance to  the  divine  grace,  oaths, 
murmurings,  want  of  confidence  and 
resignation. 

Against  our  JVeighhour :  By  rash 
judgments,  hatred,  jealousy,  contempt, 
desire  of  revenge,  quarrelling,  passion, 
imprecations,  injuries,  detraction,  rail- 
lery, false  reports,  damaging  either  in 
goods  or  reputation,  bad  example,  scan- 
dal, want  of  obedience,  respect,  charityj 
or  fidelity. 

Jigainst  ourselves :  By  vanity,  hu 


166  PRAYERS  FOR  NIGHT. 

man  respect,  and  lies ;  by  thoughts, 
desires,  discourse  or  actions  contrary 
to  purity ;  by  intemperance,  rage,  im- 
patience ;  by  a  useless  and  sensuaWife, 
or  sloth  in  complying  with  the  duties 
of  our  state. 

Repeat  the  General  Confession,  as 
in  page  25.  I  confess  to  Jilmiglity 
God,  &fc. 

PRAYER. 

Behold  me,  O  Lord,  overwhelmed 
with  confusion,  and  penetrated  with 
grief  at  the  sight  of  my  iniquities.  I 
am  not  worthy  to  be  called  thy  child, 
nor  even  to  be  reckoned  among  thy 
servants,  because  I  have  repaid  thy 
goodness  with  malice,  and  thy  patience 
with  ingratitude.  I  have  sinned  against 
heaven  and  earth.  I  have  offended  thee 
who  art  so  good,  so  amiable,  and  so 
worthy  of  my  love.  Yet,  Lord,  I  am 
tlie  work  of  thy  hands,  ransomed  with 
the  precious  blood  of  thy  own  Son, 
who  died  for  my  salvation.  Through 
his  infinite  merits  I  implore  forgiveness. 
Have  pity  on  me,  and  spare  me  for  his 


PRAYERS  FOR  MGHT.  167 

sake.  Turn  away  thy  face  from  my 
sins,  and  blot  out  my  iniquities.  I  am 
heartily  sorry  for  them,  because  they 
are  ofiensive  to  thee,  and  shall  con- 
tinue to  repent  sincerely  of  them,  to 
the  very  hour  of  my  death. 

Let  us  make  a  firm  'purpose  of  amend- 
ment. 

PRAYER. 

O  ETERXAL  God,  against  whom  T 
have  sinned,  I  wish  from  my  heart  that 
i  had  never  offended  thee;  but  as  J 
have  been  so  unhappy,  O  grant  me 
now  grace  never  more  to  offend  thee. 
Thou  wiliest  not  the  death  of  a  sinner. 
but  rather  that  he  be  converted  and 
live.  Convert  me,  then,  and  J  shall  be 
converted.  Have  mercy  on  me  accord- 
ing to  thy  great  mercy,  and  according 
to  the  multitude  of  thy  tender  mercies, 
blot  out  my  iniquities.  I  renounce  all 
sin,  and  iirmly  purpose  to  shun  all  the 
occasions  of  it,  and  to  walk  henceforth 
in  the  path  of  thy  commandments. 
This  is  my  fixed  resolution,  which  I 
hope  I  shall  faithfully  keep,   relying 


168  PRATERS  FOR  NIGHT. 

upon  thee :  through  Jesus  Christ  oui 
Lord.  Amen. 


THE  LITANY  OF  THE  BLESSED 
VIRGIN. 


We  fly  to  thy  patronage,  O  holy  Mo- 
tner  of  God!  despise  not  our  petitions  in 
our  necessities,  but  deHver  us  from  all 
dangers,  O  ever  glorious  and  blessed  Vir- 
gin! 

Lord !  have  mercy  on  us. 

Christ !  have  mercy  on  us. 

Lord !  have  mercy  on  us. 

Christ!  hear  us;  Christ!  graciously 
hear  us. 

God  the  Father  of  Heaven,  Imve  mercy 
on  us. 

God  the  Son,  Redeemer  of  the  world, 
have  mercy  on  us. 

God  the  Holy  Ghost,  have  mercy  on  us. 

Holy  Trinity,  one  God,  have  mercy  onus. 
Holy  Mary, 
Holy  Mother  of  God, 
Holy  Virgin  of  virgins. 
Mother  of  Christ, 
Mother  of  divine  grace. 
Mother  most  pure. 
Mother  most  chaste. 


I 


PRAYERS  FOR  NIGHT.  169 

Mother  undefiled. 

Mother  unviolated. 

Mother  most  amiable. 

Mother  most  admirable, , 

Mother  of  our  Creator, 

Mother  of  our  Redeemer, 

Virgin  most  prudent. 

Virgin  most  venerable. 

Virgin  most  renowned. 

Virgin  most  powerful. 

Virgin  most  merciful. 

Virgin  most  faithful. 

Mirror  of  Justice, 

Seat  of  Wisdom, 

Cause  of  our  joy. 

Spiritual  Vessel,  V«Z 

Vessel  of  Honour,  ^ 

Vessel  of  singular  Devotion, 

Mystical  Rose, 

Tower  of  David, 

Tower  of  Ivory, 

House  of  Gold, 

Ark  of  the  Covenant, 

Gate  of  Heaven, 

Morning  Star, 

Health  of  the  Weak, 

Refuge  of  Sinners, 

Comforter  of  the  Afflicted, 

Help  of  Christians, 

Q,ueen  of  Angels, 

dueen  of  Patriarchs, 


170  PRAYERS  FOR  NIGHT. 

dueen  of  Prophets, 
dueeu  of  Apostles, 
Gtueen  of  Martyrs, 
€lueen  of  Confessors, 
Q,ueen  of  Virgins, 
dueen  of  all  Saints, 

Lamb  of  God,  who  takest  away  the 
sins  of  the  world.  Spare  lis,  O  Lord  1 

Lamb  of  God,  wrio  takest  away  the 
sins  of  the  world.  Graciously  hear  tis,  0 
Lord! 

Lamb  of  God,  who  takest  away  the 
sins  of  the  world.  Have  mercy  on  us. 

Christ!  hear  us;  Christ!  graciously 
hear  us. 

Lord !  have  mercy  on  us.  Christ!  have 
mercy  on  us.     Lord !  have  mercy  on  us. 

Our  Father,  ^c. 

V.  Pray  for  us,  O  holy  Mother  of  God. 

JR.  That  we  may  be  made  worthy  ol 
the  promises  of  Christ. 

PRAYER. 

Pour  forth,  we  beseech  thee,  O  Lord! 
thy  grace  into  our  hearts,  that  we  to 
whom  the  Incarnation  of  Christ,  thy 
Son,  has  been  made  known  by  the  mes- 
sage of  an  angel,  may,  by  his  passion  and 
cross,  be  brought  to  the  glory  of  his  re- 
surrection. Through  the  s£ime  Christ 
our  Lord.  Amen. 


PRAYERS  FOR  NIGHT.  171 

Pour  down  thy  blessing,  O  Lord '  on 
thy  holy  Church,  on  our  holy  Father  the 
Pope ;  on  this  diocess,  on  our  Reverend 
Bishop  and  all  pastors  of  souls ;  on 
this  country,  on  our  Rulers  and  all  su- 
periors, temporal  and  spiritual,  on  this 
congregation,  on  this  family,  on  our  pa- 
rents, relations,  benefactors,  friends,  and 
enemies.  Help  tlie  poor,  the  sick,  and 
those  that  are  in  their  agony;  convert 
all  heretics,  and  enlighten  the  infidels. 

Our  Father,  ^-c.  Hail  Mary,  8fC.  I  be- 
(kve  in  God,  Sfc. 

PSALM  cxix. 

Let  us  pray  for  the  souls  of  all  the 
Faithful  departed,  jmrticularlij  for  tliose 
cf  our  friends  and  benefactors. 

OvT  of  the  depths  I  have  cried  unto 
tliee,  O  Lord  !  Lord  !  hear  my  voice- 
Let  thine  ears  be  attentive  to  the  voice 
of  my  supplication. 

If  thou,  O  Lord  !  wilt  mark  iniquities  : 
Lord!  who  shall  stand  it? 

For  with  thee  there  is  merciful  for- 
giveness :  and  by  reason  of  thy  law,  I 
have  waited  for  tnee,  O  Lord ! 

My  soul  hath  rehed  on  his  word :  ray 
soul  hath  hoped  m  the  Lord. 


172  PRA.YERS  FOR  NIGHT. 

From  the  morning  watch  until  night, 
let  Israel  hope  in  the  Lord. 

Because  with  the  Lord  there  is  mercy, 
and  with  him  plentiful  redemption. 

And  he  shall  redeem  Israel  from  all  his 
iniquities. 

V.  Eternal  rest  give  unto  them,  O  Lord ! 

JJ.  And  let  perpetual  light  shine  upon 
them. 

May  they  rest  in  peace.  Amen. 

V.  O  Lord !  hear  my  prayer. 

R.  And  let  my  prayer  come  unto  thee. 

Let  us  pray. 

O  God  !  the  Creator  and  Redeemer  of 
all  the  faithful!  grant  to  the  souls  of  thv 
servants  departed,  the  remission  of  all 
their  sins  :  that,  through  pious  supplica- 
tions, they  may  obtain  that  pardon  which 
they  have  always  desired ;  who  livest  and 
reignest  world  without  end.  Amen. 

Let  US  recommend  our  rest  to  God,  to  tJie 
blessed  Virgin  and  the  Saints. 

V.  Vouchsafe,  O  Lord !  this  night  to 
keep  us  without  sin. 

R.  Have  mercy  on  us,  O  Lord .  have 
mercy  on  us. 

Let  us  pray. 

Visit,  we  beseech  thee,  O  Lord '  this 


PRATERS  roil  NIGHT.  173 

habitation,  and  drive  from  it  all  the  snares 
of  the  enemy.  Let  thy  holy  angels  dwell 
therein  to  preserve  us  m  peace,  and  may 
thy  blessing  be  upon  us  for  ever,  through 
Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.  Amen. 

Bless,  O  Lord !  the  repose  I  am  going 
to  take,  in  order  to  renew  my  strength, 
that  I  may  be  better  able  to  serve  thee.  O 
all  ye  saints  and  angels !  but  chiefly  thou, 
O  Mother  of  God !  intercede  for  me  this 
night,  and  during  the  rest  of  my  life,  but 
particularly  at  the  hour  of  my  death. 

May  the  divine  assistance  remain  al 
ways  with  us.  Amen. 


174 
DEVOTIONS 

FOR 

EVERY  DAY  IN  THE  WEEK. 

SUNDAY. 

To  the  Most  Holy  Trinity. 

A  HOLY  and  ancient  practice  amongst 
the  faithful  has  consecrated  every  day  in 
the  week  to  some  particular  devotion.  Ii 
is  with  this  spirit,  that  a  prayer  is  here 
set  down  for  eacli  of  these  days;  but  il 
is  not  so  much  by  this  prayer,  as  by  the 
practice  of  devotion  annexed  to  it,  thai 
the  mystery  or  the  saint  is  to  be  honoured. 

Sunday,  which  is,  in  a  special  manner, 
the  Lord's  day,  is  selected  for  our  more 
particular  homage  ;  and  to  return  thanks 
to  the  three  adorable  Persons,  for  all  the 
inestimable  benefits  conferred  on  us.  It 
would  be  quite  irreligious  to  make  this 
day  a  day  of  amusements,  and  of  tempo- 
ral concerns.  Sanctify  it,  as  well  as  the 
other  festivals,  by  assisting  at  the  divine 
offices,  listening  to  sermons,  reading  some 
good  book,  and  other  pious  practices,  rest- 


DEVOTIONS.  175 

Ing  particularly  on  the  great  affair  of 
salvation. 

There  are  three  who  give  testimony  in 
heaven — the  Father,  the  Word^  and  the 
Holy  Ghost,  and  these  three  are  one.  1. 
John  V.  7. 

Prayer  to  the  Most  Holy  Trinity. 

Glory  be  to  the  Father,  who,  by  his 
power,  hath  brought  me  forth  from  no- 
thmg,  and  created  me  to  his  own  like- 
ness. Glory  be  to  the  Son,  who,  by  his 
wisdom,  hath  delivered  me  from  hell,  and 
opened  heaven  for  me.  Glory  be  to  the 
Holy  Ghost,  who,  by  his  mercy,  hath 
sanctified  me  in  baptism,  and  still  con- 
tinues to  sanctify  me,  by  the  graces  which 
I  every  day  receive  from  him.  Glory  be  to 
the  three  adorable  Persons  of  the  blessed 
Trinity,  as  great  now,  and  for  ever,  as  it 
was  from  the  beginning.  We  adore  thee, 
O  Holy  Trinity !  we  worship  thee ;  we 
most  humbly  give  thee  thanks  for  having 
revealed  to  us  this  glorious,  incompre- 
hensible mystery;  and  for  granting,  that, 
by  continuing  to  profess,  to  the  last  mo- 
ment of  our  lives,  this  holy  faith,  we  may 
behold  and  glorify  eternally  in  heaven, 
what  we  now  are  believing  on  earth — • 
One  God  in  three  Persons,  the  Father, '^^ 
the  Son,  and  the  Holv  Ghost.  Amen. 


176  DEVOTIONS  FOR 

MONDAY, 

To  the  Holy  GJwsL 
Though  the  three  adorable  personages 
of  ihe  blessed  Trinity  have  an  equal 
share  in  the  sanctifying  of  our  souls,  yet 
our  spiritual  regeneration,  and  all  the 
graces  we  receive  from  heaven,  are  par- 
ticularly attributed  to  the  Holy  Ghost ; 
because,  these  favours  being  an  effect  of 
God's  love  for  us,  he  that  is  the  love  of 
the  Father  and  of  the  Son  is  considered 
the  author  of  them.  It  is  incredible  what 
good  this  Divine  Spirit  produces  in  those 
souls  who  do  not  oppose  his  inspirations. 
What  an  abundance  of  light  and  strength 
would  he  not  communicate  to  us,  by  his 
seven  gifts,  his  fruits,  and  his  beatitudes, 
if,  with  docility  and  attention,  we  would 
listen  to  him.  Let  us  then  commit 
ourselves  to  his  all-wise  and  bounti-' 
ful  guidance;  let  us  study  incessantly 
the  motions  of  our  hearts ;  let  us  follow 
those  which  the  Divine  Spirit  excites 
there;  and  which  alone  can  overcome 
the  corrupt  inchnations  of  our  nature; 
let  U3  fear  nothing  so  much  as  toj-esist 
him;  let  us  preserve  his  grace  :  or  should 
we,  by  sin,  unfortunately  lose  it,  let  us 
have  recourse  to  that  sacrament,  where  it 
may  again  be  recovered;  ar<i  let  us  live 


EVERY  DAY  IN  THE  WEEK.     177 

with  more  vigilance  and  attention  to  the 
future. 

A  Prayer  to  the  Holy  Ghost, 

O  Sanctifier  of  our  souls  !  thou  Spi- 
rit of  love  and  truth !  I  adore  thee  as  the 
principal  of  my  eternal  happiness :  I 
thank  thee  as  the  dispenser  of  all  heavenly 
favours ;  and  I  invoke  thee  as  the  source 
of  that  light  and  strength,  by  which  alone 
I  can  know  what  is  good,  and  be  enabled 
to  practise  it.  Enlighten  my  understand- 
ing, fortify  my  will,  purify  my  heart,  re- 
gulate its  movements,  and  make  me  at- 
tentive to  all  thy  inspirations.  Pardon 
me,  thou  spirit  of  grace  and  mercy !  par- 
don me  my  constant  infidelities,  and  the 
shameful  insensibility  with  which  I  have 
so  often  resisted  the  most  touching  im- 
pulses of  grace.  I  am  at  length  resolved 
to  be  no  longer  rebellious  to  it,  but  to  obey 
it  with*  such  docility,  that  I  may  taste 
those  fruits,  and  enjoy  those  beatitudes, 
which  thy  sacred  gifts  can  produce  in  our 
_souls. 

■    Prayers  for  the  Faithful  dejmrted. 

It  is  a  holy  and  wholesome  thought  to 
pray   for   the  dead,   that   they   may  be 
loosed  from  their  sins.  2  Mach.  xii.  46. 
12 


178  DEVOTIONS  FOR 

A  Prayer  for  the  suffering  Souls  in  Pvr 
gatory. 

O  God  of  all  consolation!  sole  authoi 
of  the  salvation  of  souls !  have  mercy 
on  those  who  suffer  ia  purgatory.  Look 
with  compassion  on  the  greatness  on  their 
torments ;  they  are  more  keenly  devoured 
by  their  ardent  desire  of  being  united  to 
thee,  than  by  the  purging  flames  wherein 
they  are  plunged.  With  them  I  adore 
thy  avenging  justice,  and  confess  tha 
equity  of  thy  judgements;  but  since  thou 
art  pleased  favourably  to  hear  the  prayers 
which  the  members  of  thy  holy  church 
offer  to  thee  in  behalf  of  their  brethren, 
graciously  hear  the  supplication  which  I 
now  address  to  thee  for  those  suffering 
souls.  Remember,  O  Lord!  thou  art 
their  Father,  and  they  are  thy  children. 
Forget  the  faults,  which,  through  the 
frailty  of  human  nature,  they  have  com- 
mitted against  thee,  during  the  course  of 
their  mortal  pilgrimage.  Adorable  Jesus ! 
victim  of  propitiation  both  for  the  living 
and  the  dead!  vouchsafe,  in  thy  quality 
of  Redeemer,  to  apply  the  merits  of  thy 
passion  and  death  to  the  relief  of  those 
souls  whom  thou  punishest  as  their  so- 
vereign judge.  Remember,  O  Lord !  that 
they  are  thy  living  members,  tliy  faithlul 


EVERY  DAY  IN  THE  WEEK:.  179 

followers,  thy  spouses.  Let  some  drops 
of  that  precious  blood,  which  thou  hast 
shed  for  their  salvation,  flow  on  those 
devouring  flames ;  and  let  the  infinite 
price  of  that  sacred  blood  afford  a  full 
satisfaction  for  their  offences.  Deliver 
them,  O  most  merciful  God!  from  that 
place  of  darkness  and  torture,  and  call 
them  to  a  place  of  refreshment,  light  and 
peace.  Grant  them  the  possession  of  the 
sovereign  good,  after  which  they  so  ar- 
dently sigh,  and  for  which  thou  hast 
created  them :  receive  them  into  thy  pa- 
ternal bosom,  where  they  will  praise  and 
love  thee  to  aU  eternity.   Amen. 

TUESDAY. 

To  our  Angel  Guardian,  and  all  the  Holy 
Angels. 

Are  they  not  all  ministering  spirits, 
«:ent  to  minister  for  those  who  shall  re- 
ceive the  inheritance  of  salvation  ?  Heb. 
i.  14. 

We  should  have  for  our  Guard iaa 
Angels  the  highest  sentiment  of  respect, 
of  thanksgiving,  of  love,  and  confidence ; 
their  dignity,  their  good  offices,  and  the 
esteem  they  have  for  us,  most  justly  de- 
mand this.  We  should  constantly  in- 
voke their  assistance,  and  consult  them 
IP.  all  we  undertake ;  as  also  the  angels 


180  DEVOTIONS  FOR 

of  those  we  are  concerned  with ;  beg  of 
them  to  pray  to  God  for  us,  and  endea- 
vour to  be  faithful  to  their  wholesome 
suggestions. 

Jl  Frayer  to  our  Angel  Guardian. 

O  HOLY  Angel!  to  whose  care  God,  in 
his  mercy,  hath  committed  me;  thou 
who  assistest  me  in  my  wants,  who  con- 
solest  me  in  my  afflictions,  who  sup- 
portest  me  when  dejected,  and  who  con- 
stantly obtainest  for  me  new  favours ;  I 
return  thee  now  most  sincere  and  humble 
thanks;  and  I  conjure  thee,  O  amiable 
Guide!  to  continue  still  thy  care;  to  de- 
fend me  against  my  enemies ;  to  remove 
from  me  the  occasions  of  sin,  to  obtain 
for  me  a  docility  to  thy  holy  inspirations; 
to  protect  me,  in  particular,  at  the  hour 
of  my  death ;  and  then  conduct  me  to 
the  mansions  of  eternal  repose.  AtneP. 

A  Prayer  to  St.  Michael. 

Glorious  St.  Michael!  Prin'^e  of  the 
heavenly  host !  who  standest  plways 
ready  to  give  assistance  to  the  people  of 
God,  who  didst  fight  with  the  dragon,  the 
old  serpent,  and  didst  cast  him  ^>ut  of 
heaven,  and  now  valiantly  defen''-?st  the 
church  of  God,  that  the  gatej*  ol  he'! 
may  never  prevail  agai»st  her  .  I  ea* 


EVERY  BAY  IN  THE  WEEK  181 

nestly  entreat  thee  to  assist  me  also,  in 
the  painful  and  dangerous  conflict  which 
I  have  to  sustain  against  the  same  for- 
midable foe.  Be  with  me,  O  mighty 
Prince .'  that  I  may  courageously  fight 
and  happily  vanquish  that  proud  dragon, 
whom  thou  hast,  by  the  Divine  Power, 
so  gloriously  overcome,  and  whom  our 
powerful  King,  Jesus  Christ,  has,  in  our 
nature,  so  completely  overthrown :  to 
the  end,  that,  having  triumphed  over  the 
enemy  of  my  salvation,  I  may,  with  thee 
and  the  holy  angels,  praise  the  clemency 
of  God,  Avho,  having  refused  mercy  to 
die  revo'ited  angels  after  their  fall,  has 
granted  repentance  and  forgiveness  to 
fallen  njan. 

WEDNESDAY. 

To  St.  Joseph. 

Thf.  gicrious  functions  with  which  St. 
Joseph  was  honoured,  and  the  great  ex- 
ample of  humility,  of  wisdom,  of  pa- 
tience, of  fidelity,  of  obedience,  and  sub- 
mission, which  he  has  given,  should 
inspire  us  with  the  highest  idea  of  hLs 
sanctity,  and  with  great  uevotion  to  him  ; 
but  let  the  honour  you  show  him  chiefly 
consist  in   the  imitation  of  his  virtues* 


i82  DEVOTIONS  FOR 

rely  oq  him  with  confidence,  and  induce 
Others  to  have  recourse  to  him. 

Joseph,  the  husband  of  Mary,  of  whom 
was  born  Jesus,  who  is  called  Christ,— 
Malt.  i.  16. 

A  Prayer  to  St.  Joseph. 

O  GREAT  saint !  who  art  this  wise  and 
faithful  servant,  whom  God  hath  charged 
with  the  care  of  his  family ;  thou,  whom 
he  hath  established  the  guardian  and  pro- 
tector of  the  life  of  Jesus,  the  c-onsoler 
and  support  of  his  mother,  and  his  faith- 
ful associate  in  the  great  design  of  our 
redemption ;  thou,  who  hadst  the  happi- 
ness to  live  with  Jesus  and  Mary,  and  to 
expire  in  their  arms.  Chaste  spouse  of 
the  mother  of  God !  thou  model  of  pure, 
numble,  and  interior  souls !  be  touched 
with  the  confidence  we  have  in  thee  ;  and 
graciously  accept  these  testimonies  of  de- 
votion. Ws  return  God  thanks  for  the 
favours  he  hath  bestowed  on  thee;  and 
we  beg,  through  thy  intercession,  that  we 
may  imitate  thy  virtues.  Pray  for  us, 
then,  O  glorious  saint!  and  by  that  love 
thou  always  hadst  for  Jesus,  and  for 
M&ry,  and  which  Jesus  and  Mary  had 
also  for  thee,  obtain  for  us  the  incom- 
parable advantage  of  living  and  dying 
in  their  holy  love.  Amen.  ■ 


EVERY  DAY  IN  THE  WEEK.  183 

THURSDAY. 

To  the  most  holy  Sacrament. 

To  correspond  with  the  love  which 
Jesus  Christ  shows  us  in  the  blessed  sa- 
crament, let  us  unite  ourselves  to  him  in 
frequent  and  holy  communion;  let  us 
often  present  him  our  most  profound 
homage,  and  never  let  pass  a  Thursday 
without  performing  this  duty ;  let  us  go 
to  him,  at  one  time,  like  the  shepherds 
and  the  kings  who  adored  him  in  the 
manger ;  at  another  time,  like  the  apos- 
tles and  disciples,  to  hear  him  and 
to  receive  his  instructions  ;  and  at  another 
time,  like  Magdalen,  to  bewail  our  sins, 
or  to  contemplate  and  admire  his  divine 
perfections.  Let  us  go  to  him,  as  the 
sick  persons  in  the  Gospel  did,  to  be 
cured  of  our  spiritual  infirmities  ;  or  like 
beggars,  to  lay  before  him  our  wants, 
and  our  anxieties,  doubts,  and  afflictions, 
imploring  that  grace  and  consolation  we 
stand  in  need  of;  but  let  us  remain  in  his 
presence,  with  that  modesty,  recollection, 
respect,  fear,  love,  and  gratitude,  which 
this  adorable  sacrament  so  juslJy  de- 
mands. ,^ 

My  flesh  is  meat,  indeed,  and  my  blood 
•s  drink  indeed.    He  who  ealeth  my  flesh, 


184  DEVOTIONS  FOR 

and  drinketh  my  blood,  abideth  m  me, 
and  I  in  him.    John  vi.  55,  57. 

A  Prayer  to  Jesiis  in  the  blessed  Sacra- 
ment, 

O  SWEET  and  adorable  Jesus  ;  who,  in 
the  excess  of  thy  love,  art  pleased  to 
dwell  with  us  in  the  sacrament  of  the  al- 
tar; I  here  acknowledge  thee  as  my  so- 
vereign and  my  God ;  I  adore  thee  with 
the  most  profound  huraihty ;  I  thank 
thee,  with  all  my  heart,  for  the  tender- 
ness thou  here  showest  us,  in  spite  of  the 
treatment  thou  receivedst.  Pierced  with 
the  sincerest  grief  at  the  sight  of  our  in- 
graiitude,  I  come,  0  God  of  majesty !  to 
make  some  poor  amends  for  all  the  sacri- 
leges and  the  impiety  which  were  ever 
committed,  or  ever  will  be  committed, 
against  this  adorable  sacrament.  Why 
cannot  I,  O  God,  sufficiently  testify  my 
own  regret,  for  having  so  often  appeared 
before  thee  with  indifference,  and  foi 
having  approached  thee  with  so  little  fer- 
vour, and  so  little  love  1  Forget,  O  Lord ! 
our  iniquities,  that  thou  mayest  only  re- 
member thy  own  infinite  mercies.  Deign 
to  accept  the  desire  I  have  of  honouring 
thee  in  this  amiable  sacrament.  Yes,  \ 
wish  with  all  my  heart  to  love  thee,  tc 
bless,  to  praise,  and  to  adore  thee  here  as 


EVERY  DAT  IN  THE  WEEK.     185 

much  as  the  saints  and  angels  dc  in  hea 
ven :  and  I  conjure  thee,  by  this  sacred 
body,  and  this  most  precious  blood,  that 
I  may  henceforth  honour  thee  so  fer- 
vently, and  receive  thee  so  worthily,  that 
after  this  hfe,  I  may  praise  thee  for  ever 
with  thy  saints  in  heaven. 


To  Jesus  siiffey-ing. 

You  should  not  only  be  careful  to  avoid 
every  thing  that  may  renew  the  passion 
of  our  Lord,  you  should  likewise  honour 
this  mystery  by  every  pious  exercise 
which  a  tender  devotion  can  inspire  you 
with.  The  holy  sacrifice  of  the  Mass, 
offered  up  with  this  intention,  fervent 
communions,  stated  and  regular  prayers 
before  a  crucifix,  frequent  reflections 
on  the  pangs  of  our  Saviour;  some 
voluntary  mortifications,  such  as  fasting 
upon  Fridays,  a  constant  patience  in 
carrying  your  cross  in  union  with  Jesus, 
are  so  many  devout  practices,  by  which 
you  may  show  him  your  love,  and  apply 
to  your  soul  the  fruits  of  his  passion. 

Christ  suffered  for  us,  leaving  you  an 
example  that  you  should  follow  his  steps. 
1  Pet.  ii.  21. 


186  DEVOTIONS  FOR 

^  Prayer  to  Jesus  suffering. 

O  SPOTLESS  Lamb!  O  innocent  victim* 
who,  by  thy  death  and  blood,  hast  ef- 
faced the  sins  of  mankind,  blot  out  my 
iniquities,  and  do  not  permit  that  thy  suf- 
ferings should  become  useless  to  me.  I 
am  abandoned  by  every  one ;  sorrowful, 
desolate,  and  resigned  to  death ;  help  me 
now  to  receive,  with  a  resignation  like 
thine,  whatever  afflictions  thou  shall 
please  to  send  me.  O  Jesus!  calum- 
niated, accused,  despised,  teach  me  to 
look  down  on  the  judgments  of  men,  and 
to  suffer,  with  patience,  the  most  base  in- 
juries. O  Jesus!  torn  with  stripes, 
pierced  with  thorns,  weltering  in  blood 
for  my  sake,  teach  me  to  endure,  for  love 
of  thee,  the  anguish  and  inconvenience 
of  ill  health  and  sickness.  Jesus  !  aban- 
doned to  executioners,  shamefully  con- 
demned to  a  cross,  enable  me  to  fly  al] 
vain-glory,  and  embrace  the  most  hum- 
bling confusion.  O  Jesus!  sinking  under 
tiie  weight  of  thy  cross,  I  unite  myself 
to  thee,  and  my  cross  also  to  thine. 
May  I  ever  carry  it  with  the  same  strength 
and  sweetness  which  thou  didst.  O 
Jesus  !  raised  up  on  thy  cross,  draw  me 
now  powerfully  to  theej  thou  art  expi- 
piring  for  my  sake,  let  me  never  live  but 


EVEttI   DAY  IN  THE  WEEK.  IS7 

for  thine,  that,  being  henceforth  crucified 
with  thee,  my  whole  occupation  may  be 
to  love,  praise,  and  adore  thee.    Amen. 

SATURDAY. 

To  the  blessed  Virgin. 

The  eminent  sanctity  of  Mary,  her 
dignity  of  Mother  of  God,  the  glory  she 
new  enjoys,  ner  power  on  earih  and  in 
heaven,  iier  tenderness  to  poor  mortals  ; 
a  "e  the  motives  which  have  actuated  the 
saints,  and  which  now  inspire  all  those 
who  are  devoted  to  her  service,  to  enter- 
tain a  lively  and  affectionate  devotion  to 
her.  Follow  their  example,  and  put 
yf  urself  under  her  protection. 

8c^  But  what  is  here  meant  by  devotion 
is  widely  different  from  what  we  are 
falsely  impeached  wrth  supposing;  and 
it  must  never  be  thought,  that  she  has 
any  divinity  in  herself;  though  she  be 
the  purest  of  God's  creatures,  she  is  yet 
no  more  than  his  creature.  Her  interces- 
sion, as  Mother  of  God,  must  certainly 
be  powerful ;  and  we  should  never  let  a 
day  pass,  without  fervently  imploring  it ; 
we  should  celebrate  her  festivals,  re- 
ceiving the  blessed  sacrament  on  these 
days,  in  honour  of  her;  we  should  some- 
times recite  her  rosgry,  and  address  her 


F88  DEVOTIONS  FOR 

tTequently  in  the  words  of  the  Angel; 
having  always  recourse  to  her  in  our  ne- 
cessities, and  earnestly  beseeching  her  to 
assist  us  at  our  death.  But,  all  these 
practices,  though  highly  advantageous 
and  commendable  in  themselves,  were 
they  to  be  merely  outward,  and  not  ef- 
fectually animated  by  a  true  spirit  of 
piety,  must  be  of  very  little,  or  rather, 
perhaps,  of  no  assistance.  The  best  de- 
votion v/e  can  practise  towards  her,  and 
the  one  most  recommended  by  all  the 
saints,  is  to  imitate  her  excellent  virtues  ; 
to  abhor  sin;  to  love  God  tenderly;  and 
copy  her  humility,  her  purity,  and  her 
heroic  patience,  in  the  different  occur- 
rences of  our  lives. 

A  Prayer  to  the  blessed  Virgin. 

Behold  from  henceforth,  all  the  nations 
shall  call  me  blessed;  for  he  who  is 
mighty  has  done  great  things  in  me. 
Luke  i.  41,  49. 

O  BLESSED  Virgin,  Mother  of  God] 
and  by  this  august  quality  worthy  of  all 
respect  from  men  and  angels,  I  come  to 
offer  thee  my  most  humble  homage,  and 
to  implore  the  aid  of  thy  prayers  and 
protection. 

Thou  art  all  powerful  with  the  Al- 


EVERY  DAY  IN  THE  WEEK.  189 

mighty,  and  ihy  goodness  for  mankind 
is  equal  to  thy  influence  in  heaven. 
Thou  knowest,  O  blessed  Virgin !  that 
from  my  tender  years,  I  looked  up  to 
thee  as  my  mother,  my  advocate,  and 
patroness :  thou  wert  pleased  to  consider 
me,  from  that  time,  as  one  of  thy  child- 
ren ;  and  whatever  graces  I  have  re- 
ceived from  God,  I  confess  with  humble 
gratitude,  that  it  is  through  thee  I  received 
them — Why  was  I  not  as  faithful  in  thy 
service,  as  thou  wert  bountiful  in  as- 
sisting me?  But  I  will  henceforth  serve, 
honour,  and  love  thee.  Accept,  O 
blessed  Virgin !  my  protestations  of 
fidelity ;  look  favourably  on  the  confidence 
I  have  in  thee ;  obtain  for  me,  of  thy  dear 
Son,  a  Hvely  faith,  a  firm  hope,  a  tender, 
generous,  and  constant  love.  Obtain  for 
me  a  purity  that  nothing  can  soil;  a  hu- 
mihty,  that  nothing  can  elate;  a  patient 
submission  to  thewillof  God,  that  nothing 
can  ever  disturb.  In  fine,  O  glorious 
Virgin!  obtain  for  me  so  faithful  an  imi- 
tation of  thy  virtue  in  my  life,  that  I  may 
experience  the  power  of  thy  protection 
At  my  death.  Amen. 


190       A  PRAYER  IN  CHILD-BEARINO. 

w2  Prayer  that  may  he  daily  said  hy  a 
woman  with  child. 

O  Lord  God  Almighty,  Creator  of 
heaven  and  earth,  who  hast  made  iis 
all  out  of  nothing,  and  redeemed  us  by 
the  precious  blood  of  thy  only  Son  ; 
look  down  upon  thy  poor  handmaid, 
here  prostrate  before  thee,  humbly  im- 
ploring thy  mercy,  and  begging  thy 
blessing  for  herself  and  her  child, 
which  thou  hast  vouchsafed  her  to  con- 
ceive. Preserve,  I  beseech  thee,  the 
work  of  thy  hands,  and  defend  both 
me,  and  the  tender  fruit  of  my  womb, 
from  all  perils  and  all  evils.  Grant 
me,  in  due  time,  a  happy  delivery ;  and 
bring  my  child  safe  to  the  font  of  bap- 
tism, that  it  may  be  there  happily  dedi- 
cated to  tliee,  to  love  and  serve  thee 
faithfully  for  ever.  But,  O  my  God,  1 
have  too  much  reason  to  fear,  lest  my 
great  and  manifold  sins  should  hinder 
thee  from  hearing  my  prayers,  and 
draw  down  thy  judgements  upon  me 
and  mine,  instead  of  the  mercies  which 
I  sue  for :  and  therefore  1  am  sensible 


A  PRAYER  IN  CHILD-BEARING.       191 

the  first  thing  1  ouglit  to  do  is,  to  re- 
pent, from  the  bottom  of  my  heart,  for 
all  my  offences,  humbly  confess  them, 
and  continually  cry  to  thee  for  mercy. 
J  detest,  then,  all  my  sins  with  my 
whole  heart,  and  desire  to  lay  them  all 
down  here  at  thy  feet,  to  be  effaced 
and  destroyed  for  ever.  I  renounce 
And  abhor  them  with  my  whole  soul, 
because  they  are  infinitely  odious  to 
thee ;  and  I  wish  I  could  expiate  them 
with  tears  of  blood.  1  humbly  beg  thy 
pardon  for  them  all,  and  1  wish,  with 
all  my  heart,  that  I  had  never  com- 
mitted them.  I  here  ofTer  myself  to 
make  what  satisfaction  I  am  able  for 
them ;  and  I  most  willingly  accept  of 
whaiever  I  may  have  to  go  through  in 
child-bearing,  and  offer  it  up  now  be- 
forehand to  thee  for  my  sins ;  firmly 
resolving,  by  thy  grace,  never  wilfully 
to  offend  the€  mare.  See  here  my 
poor  heart,  O  Lord ;  and  if  it  be  not 
such  as  1  here  express,  at  least  I  desire 
it  should  be  such.  I  desire  it  should 
be  that  contrite  and  humble  heart 
which  thou  never  despisest.     In  this 


192     INSTRUCTIONS  AND  DEVOTIONS. 

disposition  of  soul,  and  with  a  lively 
con^fklence  in  thy  mercies,  and  in  the 
raerits  of  the  death  and  passion  of 
Jesus  Christ  thy  Son,  I  renew  the  pe- 
tition I  made  before,  and  I  once  more 
beg  of  thee,  for  myself,  thy  grace  and 
protection,  and  a  happy  delivery :  and 
for  my  child,  that  thou  wouldst  be 
pleased  to  preserve  it  for  baptism, 
sanctify  it  for  thyself,  and  make  it 
tliine  for  ever :  through  the  same  Jesus 
Christ  thy  Son,  our  Lord.     Amen. 


INSTRUCTIONS  AND  DEVOTIONS 
FOR  THE  SICK. 

1.  Tf  you  are  attacked  by  any  consider- 
able illness^  let  your  first  care  be  to  send 
for  your  spiritual  physician,  and  settle 
the  state  of  your  soul.  This  is  much 
better  done  in  the  beginning  of  sickness 
tlian  afterwards,  when  the  strength  of  the 
fever,  or  the  qualities  of  the  remedies,  may 
render  a  person  absolutely  unfit  for  so 
great  a  work.  Sickness  is  often  sent  as  i 
punishment  of  sin,  and  therefore  a  sin- 
cere repentance  and  confession  of  sins  u 


FOR  THE  SICK.  198 

often  a  more  effectual  means  of  recovery 
than  any  other. 

2.  If  you  have  not  your  will  already 
made,  as  in  prudence  you  ought,  let  this 
also  be  done  in  the  beginning  of  your 
sickness,  that  so,  having  settled  your 
temporal  affairs,  you  may  apply  your 
soul,  without  disturbance,  to  the  spiritual, 

3.  Engage  your  best  friends  to  give  you 
timely  notice  if  your  distemper  be  danger- 
ous, and  not  to  flatter  you  with  hopes  of 
life,  when  there  are  little  or  no  grounds 
for  hopes. 

4.  Take  proper  care  lor  the  discharge 
of  your  debts,  and  all  other  obligations 
incumbent  upon  you  :  and  this,  as  much 
as  may  be,  iii  the  beginning  also  of  your 
sickness.  Forgive  all  those,  who  nave 
any  ways  injured  you,  and  ask  pardon 
of  those  you  have  injured. 

5.  Receive  your  sickness  from  the  hand 
of  God,  with  a  perfect  resignation  to  his 
holy  will,  as  a  just  punishment  of  your 
offences. 

6.  Often  procure  some  friend  to  read  to 
you  the  Penitential  Psalms,  the  Litanies, 
A  cts  of  the  Love  of  God,  of  Patience,  and 
Resignation,  &-c. 

7.  Have  the  Crucifix,  or  a  picture  of 
Christ  crucified,  always  before  your  eyea. 
Think  often  upon  his  passion  i  hide  your- 

lo 


194       INSTRUCTIONS  AND  DEVOTIONS 

self,  in  spirit,  in  his  wounds,  and  em 
brace  his  feet  with  all  the  affection  of  you 
soul. 

8.  Aim,  as  much  as  you  can,  at  a  peni 
tential  spirit,  during  your  sickness.  Oftei 
cry  to  God  for  mercy,  and  make  frequein 
acts  of  contrition  for  your  sins.  Si.  Augiis 
tine  used  to  say,  that  no  Christian,  how 
ever  innocent  his  life  might  have  been 
ought  to  venture  to  die  in  any  other  stale 
than  that  of  a  penitent. 

v2  Prayer  to  be  repeated  daily  in  Sickness. 

Lord  Jesus  Christ!  behold,  I  receive 
this  sickness,  with  which  thou  art  pleased 
to  visit  me,  as  coming  from  thy  fatherly 
hand.  Thy  will  be  done  on  earth,  as  it  is 
in  heaven.  May  this  sickness  be  to  the 
honor  of  thy  holy  name,  and  for  the  good 
of  my  soul.  For  this  end,  I  here  offer  my- 
self, with  an  entire  submission  to  all  thy 
appointments :  to  suffer  whatever  thou 
pleasest. 

But  rebuke  me  not,  O  Lord!  in  thy 
fury,  nor  chastise  me  in  thy  wrath  ;  buJ 
have  regard  to  my  weakness.  THou 
knowest  ho<7  frail  I  am,  that  I  am  nothing 
but  dust  and  ashes.  Deal  not  with  me, 
therefore,  according  to  ray  sins,  neither 
punish  me  according  to  «iy  iniquities* 


FOR  THE  SICK.  195 

bttt  according  to  the  multitude  of  thy 
moot  tender  mercies,  have  compassitm  on 
me.  O  !  let  thy  justice  be  tempered  with 
mercy ;  and  let  thy  heavenly  grace  come 
to  my  assistance,  to  support  me  under 
this  my  illness.  Confirm  my  soul  with 
strength  from  above,  that  I  may  bear, 
with  true  Christian  patience,  ail  the 
uneasiness,  pains,  disquiets,  and  difficul- 
ties of  my  sickness ;  and  that  I  may 
cheerfully  accept  them  as  the  just  punish- 
ment of  my  offences;  and,  through  the 
merit?  of  thy  death  and  passion,  be  ad- 
mitted into  the  company  of  the  blessed, 
whore  I  may  praise  thee  for  ever.    Amen, 

SHORT  ACTS 

Of  Ihe  most  necessary  virtues,  proper  to  be 
inculcated  in  tJie  time  of  Sickness. 

Lord  !  I  accept  this  sickness  from  thy 
hands,  and  entirely  resign  myself  to  thy 
blessed  will,  whether  it  be  for  life  oi 
death.  Not  my  will  but  thine  be  done. 
Thy  will  be  done  on  earth,  as  it  is  in 
heaven. 

Lord !  I  offer  up  to  thee  all  that  I  now 
suffer,  or  may  have  yet  to  suffer,  to  he 
united  to  the  sufferings  of  my  Redeemer, 
and  sanctified  by  his  passion. 


196       rNSTRUCTIONS  AND  DEVOTIONS 

I  adore  thee,  O  my  God,  and  my  all  I 
as  my  first  beginning  and  last  end. 

Lord  !  I  desire  to  praise  thee  for  ever, 
in  sickness,  as  well  as  in  health.  I  desire 
to  join  my  heart  and  voice  with  the  whole 
Church  of  heaven  and  earth  in  blessing 
thee  for  ever. 

I  give  thee  thanks  from  the  bottom  ol 
my  heart,  for  all  thy  mercies  and  bless 
ings  bestowed  upon  me  and  thy  whole 
Church,  through  Jesus  Christ  thy  Son ; 
and  above  all,  for  thy  having  loved  me 
from  all  eternity,  and  redeemed  me  with 
his  precious  blood.  Oh !  let  not  thai 
blood  be  shed  for  me  in  vain. 

Lord!  I  believe  all  those  heavenly 
truths  which  thou  hast  revesded,  and 
which  thy  holy  Catholic  Church  believes 
and  teaches.  Thou  art  the  sovereign 
truth,  who  neither  canst  deceive  nor  l>e 
deceived.  And  thou  hast  promised  the 
Spirit  of  Truth  to  guide  thy  Church  into 
all  truth  :  /  believe  in  God  the  Father  Al- 
mi2;hty,  S^^c.  In  this  faith  I  resolve, 
through  thy  grace,  both  to  live  and  die. 
O  Lord !  strengthen  and  increase  this  my 
faith. 

O  my  God  !  all  my  hopes  are  in  thee , 
and,  through  Jesus  Christ  my  Redeemer, 
and   through  his  passion  and  death,  j 


FOR  THE  SICK.  197 

hope  for  mercy,  grace,  and  salvation 
from  thee. 

I  desire  to  be  dissolved,  and  to  be  with 
Christ. 

I  desire  to  embrace  every  neighbour 
with  perfect  charity,  for  the  love  of  thee. 
I  forgive,  from  my  heart,  all  who  have 
any  ways  offended  or  injured  me :  and 
ask  pardon  of  all  whom  I  have  any  way 
offended. 

Have  mercy  on  me,  O  God  !  according 
to  thy  great  mercy,  and  according  to  the 
multitude  of  thy  tender  mercies,  blot  out 
all  my  iniquities. 

Lord !  be  merciful  to  me  a  smner. 
Sweet  Jesus!  Son  of  the  living-  God! 
have  mercy  on  me. 

I  commend  my  soul  to  God  my 
Creator,  who  made  me  out  of  nothing; 
to  Jesus  Christ  my  Saviour,  who  redeemed 
me  with  his  precious  blood  5  to  the  Holy 
Ghost,  who  sanctified  me  in  baptism. 
Into  thy  hands,  O  Lord !  I  commend  my 
spirit. 

O  holy  Mary.  Mother  of  God !  pray 
for  us  sinners  now,  and  at  the  hour  of 
our  death.  O  all  ye  blessed  Angels  and 
Saints  of  God !  pray  lor  me,  a  poor  sinner. 


198     INSTRUCTIONS  AND  DEVOTIONS 
A  SHORT  EXERCISE, 

As  a  preparation  for  Death,  which  may  be 
used  every  day. 

1.  My  heart  is  ready,  O  God  !  my  heari 
IS  ready  ;  not  my  will,  but  thine  be  done, 

2.  I  most  humbly  ask  pardon  for  all  my 
sins,  committed  against  thy  sovereign 
goodness,  and  repent  of  them  all  from  the 
bottom  of  my  heart. 

3.  I  firmly  believe  whatsoever  the  holy 
Catholic  Church  believes  and  teaches ; 
and  by  thy  grace,  I  will  die  in  this  behef, 

4  I  hope  to  possess  eternal  life  through 
tliy  infinite  mercy,  and  the  merits  of  my 
Saviour  Jesus  Christ. 

5.  O  my  divine  Jesus !  how  g-eat  is  my 
desire  to  receive  thy  sacred  body!  O! 
come  now  into  my  sou  J,  at  least  by  a 
spiritual  communion.  O!  grant  that  I 
may  worthily  receive  thee  before  my 
death.  I  desire  to  unite  myself  to  all  the 
worthy  communions,  which  shall  be 
made  in  thy  holy  Church,  even  to  the 
end  of  the  Avorld. 

6.  Grant  me  thy  grace,  O  my  divine 
Saviour  !  perfectly  to  efface  all  the  sins  I 
have  committed  by  any  of  my  senses,  by 
applying  daily  to  my  soul  thy  blessed 
merits,  and  the  holy  unction  of  thy  pre- 
cious blood. 


FOR  THE  SICK.  199 

7.  Holy  Virgin.  Mother  of  God !  de- 
tond  me  from  my  enemies  in  my  last 
i.our,  and  present  me  to  thy  divine  Son. 
Glorious  St.  Michael,  prince  of  tiie 
heavenly  host !  thou,  my  Angel  Guar- 
dian !  and  you,  my  blessed  patrons !  in- 
tercede for  me,  and  assist  me  in  this  last 
and  dreadful  passage. 

8.  O  my  God  !  i  renounce  all  tempta- 
tions of  the  enemy,  and  in  general  what- 
soever may  displease  thee. 

9.  O  Jesus,  my  divine  Saviour!  be  a 
Jesus  to  me,  and  save  me!  O  my  God! 
hiding  myself  with  an  humble  confidence 
in  thy  dear  wounds,  1  render  my  soul 
into  thy  divine  hands ;  receive  it  into  the 
bosom  of  thy  mercy.   Amen. 

A  prayer  before  Extreme  Unctimi. 

Thou  hast  mercifully  provided  reme- 
dies, O  Lord!  lor  all  our  necessities, 
grant  me  thy  grace  so  to  make  use  of 
them,  that  my  soul  may  receive  all  those 
good  effects  which  thou  hast  appointed 
in  their  institution.  Now  I  desire  to  he 
anointed,  as  thou  hast  commanded  me 
by  thy  apostle;  grant,  I  beseech  thee, 
that  by  this  holy  Unction,  and  the  prayers 
of  the  church,  I  may  partake  of  that 
ijpirit,  with  which  Christ  suffered  on  the 


200      INSTRUCTIONS  AND  HEVOTIONS 

cross  for  thy  glory,  and  for  the  destruc- 
tion of  sin.  Give  me  true  patience  to 
support  all  the  pains  and  trouble  of  my 
distemper ;  give  me  an  inward  strength 
to  resist 'all  the  temptations  of  the  enemy ; 
give  me  grace  for  the  pardon  of  all  my 
failings  -,  give  me  that  true  light,  by  which 
I  may  be  conducted  through  the  shadow 
of  death,  to  eternal  happiness  ;  and  if  my 
health  be  expedient  for  thy  glory,  let  this, 
under  thy  good  pleasure,  be  the  means  to 
restore  it.  Behold  I  approach  to  this 
holy  ordinance  with  a  firm  faith  and  con- 
fidence in  thy  goodness,  that  thou  will 
not  forsake  me  in  this  time  of  my  distress, 
but  that  thou  wilt  stand  by  me  with  thy 
grace,  and  defend  me  from  all  evil,  and 
noAV  prepare  my  soul  for  a  happy  passage. 

My  eyes  have  often  been  delighted 
with  vanities,  but  now  let  them  be  shut 
to  the  world,  and  open  to  thee  alone,  my 
Jesus  !  pardon  me  all  the  sins  I  have 
committed  by  my  seeing. 

My  ears  have  been  open  to  detractions, 

f)rofaneness,  and  unprofitable  discourses ; 
et  me  now  give  ear  to  thy  word,  to  thy 
commands,  and  thy  call,  and  pardon  me, 
O  Jesus !  all  the  sins  I  have  committed 
by  my  hearing. 


r 


FOR    THE    SICK.  201 

After  Extreme  Unction. 

Hear  our  prayers,  O  God!  in  behalf 
of  thy  servant;  and  since  thou  hast  shown 
this  mercy  to  him,  as  to  admit  him  to  the 
helps  of  thy  church,  grant  he  may  par- 
take of  the  effects  of  them,  even  those 
which  thou  hast  appointed  for  the  com- 
fort of  the  poor  souls  in  the  day  of  their 
distress.  Grant  him  a  full  discharge  of 
all  his  sins,  that,  whenever  he  shall  aj> 
pear  before  thee,  the  enemy  may  find  no- 
thing against  him.  Stand  thou  by  him, 
we  beseech  thee,  and  be  his  protector 
against  all  evils ;  let  thy  grace  comfort 
him,  and  heavenly  strength  support  him, 
tliat  however  he  be  weak  of  himself,  yet 
through  thy  assistance  he  may  stand  in 
this  day  of  trial,  and  cheerfully  submit  to 
whatever  thou  hast  appointed  for  him. 
Restore  him  to  health,  if  thou  knowest  it 
expedient  for  him;  but  if  thou  hast  or 
dained  it  otherwise,  grant  him  a  happy 
passage,  and  admit  him  into  the  number 
of  the  blessed,  through  the  merits  of  thy 
dear  Son,  who  liveth  and  reigneth  with 
thee,  in  the  unity  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  one 
God,  world  without  end.  Amen. 


202      INSTRUCTIONS  A.ND  DEVOTIONS 


Proper  to  he  recited  by  the  assistants,  loken 
the  dyiiii^  person  is  in  the  extremity,  and 
unable  to  speak  for  himself. 

Lord  Jesus  Christ !  we  beseech  thee, 
by  thy  bitter  agony  and  prayer  in  the 
garden,  that  thou  wouldst  be  pleased  tr 
be  an  advocate  with  the  eternal  Father  in 
behalf  of  this  thy  servant.  Our  Father 
Hail,  Mary. 

Lord  Jesus  Christ!  who  wast  pleased 
to  suffer  death  on  the  cross  lor  us,  we 
beseech  tliee  to  offer  up  all  that  anguish 
and  pain,  which  thou  then  enduredst, 
and  most  especially  at  the  hour  of  thy 
death,  in  behalf  of  this  thy  servant.  Oar 
Father.  Hail,  Mary. 

Lord  Jesus  Christ!  who  hadst  such 
love  for  man,  as  to  become  man  for  his 
salvation,  we  beseech  thee  to  show  this 
charity  and  goodness  of  thine  to  the  eter- 
nal Father ;  let  that  appear  in  behalf  of 
tiiy  servant,  plead  his  cause,  that,  by  thy 
powerful  mediation,  he  may  be  freed 
from  his  sins ;  that  he  may  be  safe  at  the 
hour  of  his  departure,  and  find  the  gate 
of  life  open  to  him.     Our  Father.    Hail, 


Mary. 


FOR    THE    SICK. 


203 


LoRi>  Jesus  Christ !  who,  by  ihy  pre- 
cious blood,  hast  redeemed  us,  we  be- 
seech thee  to  imprint  in  the  soul  of  this 
thy  servant,  the  memory  of  thy  most  sa- 
cred wounds,  that  having  them  in  his 
eight,  he  may  be  encouraged  to  suffer 
with  patience  and  resolution,  and  be 
armed  against  all  the  pangs  of  death. 

Grant  him  now  to  partake  of  the  fruit 
of  thy  holy  incarnation,  of  thy  bitter  pas- 
sion, of  thy  glorious  resurrection,  and 
admirable  ascension. 

Grant  he  may  be  sensible  of  the  effects 
of  thy  holy  mysteries  and  sacraments, 
and  of  all  the  prayers  which  are  offered 
thee  by  thy  holy  Church. 

Christ  Jesus  !  who  wast  crucified  for 
our  redemption,  we  beseech  thee,  by  that 
love  which  brought  thee  from  heaven,  to 
have  compassion  on  the  soul  of  this  thy 
servant;  forgive  him  all  his  sins,  and  by 
tlie  merits  of  thy  bitter  passion,  satisify 
for  all  his  failings,  and  supply  his  defects. 
Let  him  noAV  experience  the  multitude 
of  thy  tender  mercies,  and  be  sensible 
how  good  his  Lord  is.  Dispose  now 
his  soul  by  thy  grace,  that  he  may  be 
prepared,  at  thy  call,  to  go  forth  to  meet 
thee.  Grant  him,  we  beseech  thee,  true 
patience   and  perfect  resignation   in  his 


204      INSTRUCTIONS  AND  DEVOTIONS 

pains  and  anguish.  Give  him  a  fall  Ais- 
charge  from  all  his  sins  ;  and  confirm  his 
faith  ;  strengthen  his  hope,  and  perfect  his 
charity,  that,  departing  hence,  his  soul 
may  be  received  into  thy  mercy.  O  dear 
Redeemer!  by  that  distress  which  thou 
sulTeredst  on  the  cross,  when  thou  criedst 
aut  to  thy  eternal  Father,  we  pray  thee 
show  mercy  to  this  thy  servant  in  his  ex- 
tremity ;  hear  the  sighs  and  desires  of  his 
heart,  and  since  he  cannot  speak  for  him- 
self, speak  thou  for  him,  we  beseech  thee, 
who  art  the  eternal' Word,  and  to  whom 
the  Father  will  refuse  nothing. 

Let  those  hands  which  were  once 
nailed  to  the  cross,  now  plead  for  him, 
and  obtaining  his  pardon,  conduct  him 
mto  thy  eternal  rest.  Amen. 

THE    RECOMMENDATION  OV  A  SOUL    DE- 
PARTING. 

Lord!  have  mercy  on  us. 
Christ !  have  mercy  on  us. 
Lord  I  have  mprcy  on  us. 
Holy  Mary,  Pray  for  him,  (her.) 
All  ye  Angels  and  Archangels,  Pray  for 

him,  (her.) 
Holy  Al^el,  pray  for  him.  (her.)         "1   ^ 
A II  ye  Choir  of  the  Just,  (  ^^ 

Holy  Abraham,  j  " 

St.  John  the  Baptist,  J  J 


I 


FOR    THE    SICK.  205 

St.  Joseph, 

All  ye  holy  Patriarchs  and  Prophets, 

St.  Peter, 

St.  Paul, 

St.  Andrew, 

St.  John, 

All  ye  holy  Apostles  and  Evangehsts, 

All  ye  holy  Disciples  of  our  Lord, 

All  ye  holy  Innocents, 

St.  Stephen, 

St.  Laurence, 

All  ye  holy  Martyrs,  f 

St.  Sylvester, 

St.  Gregory, 

St.  Augustine, 

All  ye  holy  Bishops  and  Confessors, 

St.  Benedict, 

St.  Francis, 

All  ye  holy  Monks  and  Hermits, 

St.  Mary  Magdalen, 

St.  Lucy, 

All  ye  holy  Virgins  and  Widows, 

All  ye  Saints  of  God,  make  intercession 

for  him,  (her.) 
Be  merciful ;  Spare  him,  (her,)  O  Lord ! 
Be  merciful ;  Deliver  him,  (her,)  0  Lord ! 
Be  merciful;  Receive  him,  (her,)0  Lord! 
From  thy  Anger,  Deliver  him,  {her,)  O 

Lord! 
From  the  Danger  of  Death,  Deliver  hinh 

(/ler,)  OLord' 


^? 


20b      INSTRTJCTIONS  AND  DEVOTIOirS 

PVom  an  ill  end.  Deliver  him,  (her,)  O 

Lord ! 
From  the  pains  of  hell. 
From  all  evil. 

From  the  power  of  the  Devil, 
By  thy  Nativity, 
By  thy  Cross  and  Passion, 
By  thy  Death  and  Burial, 
By  thy  glorious  Resurrection, 
By  thy  admirable  Ascension, 
By  the  Grace  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  the 

Comforter, 
In  the  Day  of  Judgment, 
We  sinners  beseech  thee  to  hear  us. 

That  thou  spare  him,  (her,)  IVe  beseech 
thee  to  hear  us. 

Lord  have  mercy  on  us.  Christ  have 
mercy  on  us.     Lord  have  mercy  on  us. 

Depart,  Christian  soul!  out  of  this 
world,  in  the  Name  of  God  the  Father 
Almighty  who  created  thee :  in  the  Name 
of  Jesus  Christ,  Son  of  the  living  God, 
who  suffered  for  thee;  in  the  Name  of  the 
Holy  Ghost,  who  sanctified  thee;  in  the 
Name  of  the  Angels,  Archangels,  Thrones, 
and  Dominations,  Cherubim,  and  Sera- 
phim ;  in  the  Name  of  the  Patriarchs  and 
Prophets,  of  the  Holy  Apostles  and 
Evangelists,  of  the  Holy  Martyrs  and 
Confessors,  of   the    Holy    Monks    and 


FOR   THE    SICK.  207 

Hermits,  of  the  Holy  Virgins  and  of  all 
the  Saints  of  God ;  let  thy  place  be  this 
day  in  Peace,  and  thy  abode  in  Holy  Sion : 
Tiirough  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 

God  of  mercy,  God  of  goodness !  O 
God!  who,  according  to  the  multitude 
of  thy  mercies,  forgivest  the  sins  of  such 
as  repent,  and  graciously  remittest  the 
guilt  of  their  past  offences,  mercifully  re- 
gard this  thy  servant  JV.,  and  grant  him  a 
Full  discharge  from  all  his  sins,  who  most 
earnestly  begs  it  of  thee.  Renew,  O 
merciful  Father !  whatever  is  corrupt  in 
him,  through  human  frailty,  or  by  the 
snares  of  the  enemy;  make  him  a  true 
member  of  thy  Church,  and  let  him  par- 
lake  of  the  fruits  of  thy  redemption. 
.^men. 

I  RECOMMEND  thee,  dear  brother!  to 
Almighty  God,  and  leave  thee  to  his 
mercy,  whose  creature  thou  art,  that  hav- 
ing paid  the  common  debt,  by  surrender- 
ing thy  soul,  thou  mayest  return  to  thy 
Maker,  who  formed  thee  out  of  the  earth. 
Let,  therefore,  the  noble  company  of 
Angels  meet  thy  soul  at  its  departure ; 
let  the  court  of  the  Apostles  receive  thee ; 
let  the  triumphant  army  of  glorious  Mar- 
tyrs conduct  thee ;  let  the  crowds  of  joyful 
Confessors  encompass  thee  j  let  the  choir 


208       INSTRUCTIONS  AND  DEVOTIONS 

of  blessed  Virgins  go  before  thee ;  lei  a 
happy  rest  be  thy  portion  in  the  company 
of  the  Patriarchs ;  and  let  Jesus  Chrisi 
appear  to  thee  with  a  mild  and  cheerful 
countenance,  and  give  thee  place  among 
those  who  are  to  be  in  his  presence  foi 
ever.  Mayest  thou  be  a  stranger  to  aF 
that  which  is  punished  with  darkness,  or 
chastised  with  flames,  and  condemned  U 
torments.  Let  thy  wicked  enemy,  witi 
all  his  evil  spirits,  depart  from  thee  :  may 
he  tremble  at  thy  approach,  in  the  com 
pany  of  Angels,  and  retire  into  the  horrid 
confusion  of  eternal  night.  May  thy  God 
arise,  and  thy  enemies  be  put  to  flight. 
May  all  who  hate  him  fly  before  his  face. 
Let  them  vanish  like  smoke,  and  as  wax 
before  the  fire ;  so  let  sinners  perish  in 
the  sight  of  God;  but  for  the  just,  let 
them  rejoice  and  be  happy  in  his  presence. 
May  all  the  ministers  of  nell  be  filled  with 
confusion  and  shame,  and  let  no  evil 
spirit  dare  to  stop  thee  in  thy  way. 
Christ  Jesus,  who  vouchsafed  to  die  for 
thee,  deliver  thee  from  death ;  Christ 
Jesus,  Son  of  the  living  God,  place  thee 
in  his  Garden  of  Paradise;  and  may  he, 
the  true  Shepherd,  own  thee  for  one  of 
his  flock.  May  he  absolve  thee  from  all 
thy  sins,  and  place  thee  at  his  right  hand, 
m  the  inheritance  of  his  elect.    We  pray 


FOR  THE  SICK.  209 

It  may  be  thy  happy  lot  to  behold  thy 
Redeemer  face  to  face,  to  be  ever  in  his 
presence,  and  in  the  vision  of  that  truth 
which  is  the  joy  of  the  blessed.  And 
thus  placed  among  those  happy  spirits, 
mayest  thou  be  ever  filled  with  heavenly 
sweetness.     Amen. 

Let  us  pray. 

We  commend  to  thee,  O  Lord!  the 
soul  of  this  thy  servant,  and  beseech  thee, 
Jesus  Christ,  Redeemer  of  the  world! 
that  as  in  mercy  to  him  thou  becamest 
man,  so  now  thou  wouldst  vouchsafe  to 
admit  him  into  the  number  of  the  blessed. 
Remember,  Lord !  he  is  thy  creature,  not 
made  by  strange  gods,  but  by  thee,  the 
only  true  and  living  God ;  for  there 
is  no  other  God  but  thee,  none  that  can 
work  thy  wonders.  Let  his  soul  find 
comfort  in  thy  sight,  and  remember  not 
his  former  sins ;  nor  any  of  those  excesses 
which  he  has  fallen  into,  through  the 
violence  of  passion  and  corruption.  For 
although  he  has  sinned,  yet  he  has  still 
retained  a  true  faith  in  thee.  Father,  Son, 
and  Holy  Ghost!  he  has  had  a  zeal  for 
thy  honouj",  and  faithfully  adored  thee, 
his  God,  and  the  Creator  of  all  things. 

Remember  not,  O  Lord!  we  beseech 
thee,  the  sins  and  isrnorances  of  his  youth ; 
^14 


210      INSTRUCTIONS  AND  DEVOTIONS. 

but  according  to  thy  great  mercy,  be 
mindful  of  him  in  thy  eternal  glory.  Let 
the  Heavens  be  open  to  him,  and  the 
Angels  rejoice  with  him.  Receive,  Lord! 
thy  servant  into  thy  kingdom.  Let  the 
Archangel  St.  Michael,  the  chief  of  the 
heavenly  host,  conduct  him.  Let  the 
holy  Angels  of  God  meet  him,  and  bring 
him  into  the  city  of  heavenly  Jerusalem, 
May  blessed  Peter,  the  Apostle,  to  whom 
were  given  the  keys  of  the  kingdom  of 
Heaven,  receive  him.  May  holy  Paul, 
the  Apostle,  who  was  a  vessel  of  election, 
help  him.  May  St.  John,  the  beloved 
Disciple,  to  whom  God  revealed  tl^ 
secrets  of  Heaven,  intercede  for  him^ 
May  all  the  holy  Apostles,  to  whom  was 
given  the  power  of  binding  and  loosing, 
pray  for  him.  May  all  the  blessed  and 
chosen  servants  of  God,  who  in  this  world 
have  suffered  torments  for  the  name  ot 
Christ,  pray  for  him,  that,  being  delivered 
from  this  body  of  corruption,  he  may  be 
admitted  into  the  kingdom  of  Heaven, 
through  the  assistance  and  merits  of  oui 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  liveth  and  reign 
eth  with  the  Father  and  the  Holy  Ghost 
world  without  end.    Jlmen. 


FOR  THE  SICK.  211 

Tfie  Soul  being  now  departed,  the  follow- 
ing  Responsoi'y  is  to  be  said. 

Come  to  his  assistance,  all  ye  Saints 
of  God  !  meet  him,  all  ye  angels  of  God! 
receive  his  soul,  and  present  it  now  be- 
fore its  Lord!  May  Jesus  Christ  receive 
thee,  and  the  Angels  conduct  thee  to  thy 
place  of  rest :  may  they  receive  his  soul, 
and  present  it  now  before  its  Lord. 

R.  Eternal  rest  grant  him,  O  Lord! 
and  let  perpetual  light  shine  unto  hinu 
May  they  present  him  noiv  before  his  Lord, 

Lord  have  mercy  on  us. 

Christ  have  mercy  on  us. 

Lord  have  mercy  on  us. 

Our  Father,  &c. 

V.  And  lead  us  not  into  temptation. 

R.  Bid  deliver  us  from  evil. 

V.  Eternal  rest  grant  him,  O  Lord ! 

R.  Jlnd  let  perpetual  light  slant  unto  him, 

V.  From  the  gates  of  Hell. 

R.  Deliver  his  soul,  O  Lord ! 

V.  May  he  rest  in  peace. 

R.  Amen. 

V.  O  Lord,  hear  my  prayer. 

R.  Jlnd  let  my  cry  come  unto  thee. 

Let  us  pray. 

To  thee.  Lord,  we  recommend  the  soul 
of  tny  servant  JV.,  that,  being  dead  to  this 


212  MEDITATIONS  ON 

world,  he  may  lire  to  ihee.  And  what* 
ever  sins  he  has  committed  through  hu- 
man frailly,  we  beseech  thee,  in  thy 
goodness,  mercifully  to  pardon,  througn 
Christ  our  Lord.    Amen. 

Then  for  a  conclusion  may  be  added  the 
following  Prayer  for  the  Assistants, 

Grant,  O  God,  that  while  we  here 
lament  the  departure  of  thy  servant,  we 
may  ever  remember,  that  we  are  mosi 
certainly  to  follow  him.  Give  us  grace 
to  prepare  for  that  last  hour  by  a  good 
life,  that  we  may  not  be  surprised  by 
sudden  death,  but  be  ever  watching  when 
thou  shalt  call,  that  so  with  the  Spouse 
we  may  enter  into  eternal  glory  :  Through 
Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.    Amen. 


FIFTEEN  MEDITATIONS, 
Chi  the  Passion  of  our  Saviour  Jesus  Christ, 

1.0  GOOD  and  gracious  Jesus!  who 
being  most  high  in  the  glory  of  the  Fa- 
ther, and  equal  to  his  divine  Essence, 
vouchsafedst,  through  thy  infinite  charity, 
to  be  made  man,  to  be  born  in  a  stable, 
to  be  laid  m  a  manger,  to  be  circumcised, 
and   fly   into  Egypt  j   afterwards  to   be 


Christ's  passion.  213 

baptized,  to  be  tempted,  to  fast,  to  watch, 
to  teach  the  ignorant,  and  heal  the  dis- 
eased; in  thy  whole  life  to  suffer  con- 
tinual afflictions  and  persecutions;  and 
at  length  voluntarily  suffer  death  on  the 
cross,  and  all  this  for  me,  and  such 
wretches  as  I. 

2.0  GOOD  and  gracious  Jesus!  thou 
naving  eaten  the  Paschal  Lamb,  with  thy 
dearly  beloved  Disciples,  didst  arise  from 
cupper,  and  gird  thyself  with  a  towel; 
and  pour  water  into  a  basin,  and  kneeledst 
on  thy  knees,  and  humbly  washedst  the 
feet  of  thy  Disciples,  and  wipedst  them 
with  thy  own  hands, 

3.  O  GOOD  and  gracious  Jesus  !  who, 
when  the  time  of  thy  death  approached, 
didst  bequeath  a  most  excellent  legacy  to 
thy  children,  leaving  us  thy  most  sacred 
body  to  be  our  meat,  and  thy  most  pre- 
cious blood  to  be  our  drink.  No  wit  can 
teach,  nor  understanding  penetrate  tbe 
bottomless  depth  of  this  thy  charity. 

4.  O  GOOD  and  gracious  Lord !  thou 
entering  into  the  Garden  of  Olivet,  began 
to  fear  and  to  be  heavy,  whereupon  thou 
said^t  to  thy  Disciples,  Jl/^  soul  is  sorrow- 
ful to  death ;  and  then  leaving  them, 
kn<^ledst  upon  the  ground,  and  falling 
fl»*-  on  tiiy  face,  prayedst  to  thy  father. 


214  MEDITATIONS  ON 

"if  it  be  possible  to  let  this  cup  pass 
from  me  ;''  and  yet,  with  perfect  submis- 
sion, wholly  resignedst  thyself  to  him, 
saying.  Father,  not  my  will  but  thine  be 
done  ;  and  at  length,  through  most  pain- 
ful agony,  thy  afflicted  and  faintmg  body 
sweat  drops  of  blood. 

5.  O  GOOD  and  gracious  Jesus !  thou, 
inflamed  with  ineffable  desire  to  redeem 
me,  didst  go  to  meet  thy  enemies,  and 
sufieredst  Judas,  the  traitor,  to  kiss  thee, 
and  thyself  to  be  taken  and  bound  with 
cords,  and,  as  a  malefactor,  disgrace- 
fully led  by  the  basest  of  the  people  to 
Annas,  where,  with  admirable  meekness, 
tliou  receivedst  a  cruel  stroke  on  thy  face, 
most  unjustly  given  thee  by  a  vile  wretch 
and  slave. 

6.  O  GOOD  and  gracious  Jesus!  who 
wast  led  fast  bound,  like  a  notorious  male- 
factor, from  Aniuis  to  the  house  of  Cai- 
pJias,  the  high-priest,  where  the  Jews 
most  unjustly  accused  thee,  and,  with 
barbarous  insolence,  spit  upon  thy  meek 
and  amiable  face,  buffeting  thy  cheeks, 
and  blindfolding  thy  eyes,  scornfully 
wocking  and  maliciously  affronting  thee 
with  injuries  all  that  night. 

i,  O  GOOD  and  gracious  Jesus!  thou 


Christ's  passion.  215 

i\t  the  morning  wast  brought  to  the  pre- 
sence oi'  Pilale,  and  with  a  most  sweet 
and  humble  countenance,  casting  thine 
eyes  down,  sto'odest  before  him  in  the 
Judgement  hall;  and  when  ihou  wast 
most  falsely  calumniated  by  the  Jews, 
and  many  an  insolent  rebuke  and  provo- 
cation given  thee,  thou  meekly  heldest 
thy  peace,  and  patiently  suffered  their 
unjust  proceedings. 

8.  O  GOOD  and  gracious  Jesus!  who 
wast  sent  from  Pilate  to  Herod,  who,  out 
of  a  vain  curiosity,  coveting  to  see  some 
miracle  at  thy  hand,  demanded  many 
things  of  thee,  and  the  Jews  continuing 
still  their  perverseness  against  thee,  but 
to  all  these  thy  meekness  rephed  not  a 
word  ;  wherefore  Herod  and  all  his  court 
despised  thee,  and  putting  on  thee  a  white 
garment,  in  scorn  and  derision,  sent  thee 
thus  back  again  to  Pilate.  O  unspeakable 
humihty  and  obedience !  at  the  will  of  thy 
enemies,  thou  wentest  forth  and  retura- 
edst  again,  and  wast  led  up  and  down 
from  place  to  place,  without  gainsaying, 
and  suflering  them  to  do  whatever  they 
would. 

9.  O  GOOD  and  gracious  Jesus!  who 
in  the  Judgement  hall  was  stripped  naked. 


216  MEDITATIONS  OW 

and  without  any  compassion,  most  Cru- 
elly scourged.  There  was  thy  blessed 
virginal  and  tender  flesh  cut  with  whips, 
and  torn  with  stripes,  altogether  mangled 
and  deformed,  so  that  streams  of  thy 
most  precious  blood  ran  down  on  every 
side  upon  the  earth. 

10.  O  GOOD  and  gracious  Jesus  !  after 
thy  sharp  and  bloody  scourging,  to  put 
thee  to  more  shame  and  confusion,  as 
also  to  increase  thy  torments,  they  clothed 
thee  with  an  old  purple  garment,  and 
platted  a  crown  of  thorns,  and  pressed  it 
on  thy  head,  till  the  sharp  points  pierced 
thy  temples,  and  thy  most  precious  blood 
ran  down,  and  covered  thy  face  and  neck. 
They  gave  thee,  in  derision,  a  reed  for 
thy  sceptre,  and  kneeling  down  before 
thee  in  scorn,  saluted  thee,  saying,  AU 
Juiil,  King  of  the  Jews;  then  took  they 
the  reed  out  of  thy  hand,  and  with  it 
struck  thy  sacred  head,  and  again  spit 
upon  thy  blessed  face. 

11.  O  GOOD  and  precious  Jesus!  thou 
wast  brought  forth  by  Pilate  to  the  Jews, 
to  be  gazed  on,  Avearing  the  crown  of 
thorns,  and  purple  garment,  Pilate 
showing  thee  to  the  people,  saying.  Be- 
hold the  man;    but  they  cried  out  with 


Christ's  passion.  217 

loud  rage  and  insatiable  malice.  Crucify 
him !   Crucify  him ! 

12.  O  GOOD  and  gracious  Jesus!  who 
wast  delivered  up  to  the  will  and  pleasure 
of  the  Jews,  who  immediately  led  thee  to 
be  crucified,  laying  a  heavy  cross  upon 
thy  sore  and  bloody  shoulders  ;  thus  didst 
thou  most  humbly  bear  thy  own  cross, 
whose  weight  pained  thee  excessively, 
and  coming  to  the  place  all  weary  and 
breathless,  thou  refusedst  not  to  taste 
wine  mingled  with  gall  and  myrrh,  which 
was  the  only  relief  given  thee. 

13.  O  GOOD  and  gracious  Jesus!  when 
thou  wast  again  stripped  naked,  then 
were  thy  wounds,  by  the  pulling  off  thy 
dothes,  renewed.  What  bitter  pain  didst 
thou  suffer,  when  thou  wert,  with  cruel 
nails,  fastened  to  the  cross,  and  the  joints 
of  thy  hmbs  stretched  on  a  rack !  O ! 
with  what  love  and  sweetness  of  charity 
didst  thou  offer  thy  hands  and  feet,  to  be 
bored  through,  whence,  as  from  a  foun- 
tain, thy  precious  blood  gushed  out! 

14.  O  GOOD  and  gracious  Jesus!  thou, 
hanging  on  a  cross  between  two  thieves, 
wast  assailed  by  blasphemies,  and  after 
BO  long  continuance  of  thy  tortures,  thou 
prayedst  to  the  Father  to  forgive  iliem, 


218  MEDITATIONS  ON 

and  even  when  their  furj^  was  at  the 
highest,  didst  thou  exercise  the  greatest 
bounty,  promising  Paradise  to  the  repent- 
ing thief,  and  bequeathing  thy  dearly  b^ 
loved  Mother,  (who,  pierced  by  sorrow, 
stood  by  the  cross,)  to  thy  beloved  disci- 
ple John,  and,  in  him,  to  us  all,  to  be  oui 
mother.  And  after  thou  hadst  suffered, 
three  long  hours,  intolerable  pains  and 
extreme  thirst,  they  gave  thee  vinegar  to 
drink,  which,  when  thou  hadst  tasted, 
bowing  down  thy  venerable  head,  thou 
yieldedst  up  thy  spirit. 

15.  O  Goon  and  gracious  Jesus!  Ogood 
Shepherd!  thou  bestowedst  thy  life  for 
thy  sheep,  and  even  after  death,  still  thou 
wouldst  suffer  for  us,  the  sacred  side  of 
tky  dead  body  being  opened  with  a  spear, 
out  of  which  flowed  water  and  blood. 
Thus  at  at  last  ended  all  thy  sufferings, 
and  thy  enemies  having  satisfied  their 
thirst  after  thy  blood,  and  being  gone 
away,  thy  disciples  came  and  took  thy 
immaculate  body  down  from  the  cross, 
and  reposed  it  upon  the  knees  of  thy 
blessed  mother ;  and  after  all  imaginable 
expressions  of  piety,  reverence,  and 
love,  they  wrapped  it  in  fine  hnen  anl 
laid  It  in  a  sepulchre. 


CHRIST'S  PASSION. 


219 


The  Prayer. 

O  MILD  and  innocent  Lamb  of  God ! 
thus  heartily  thou  didst  love  me,  these 
pains  most  patiently  and  lovingly  thou 
sufferedst  for  me!  What  shall  I  rendei 
thee?  I  adore  and  glorify  thee,  I  piaise 
thee  and  give  thee  thanks  with  all  the 
powers  of  my  soul,  Jesus,  Son  of  the 
living  God,  King  of  kings,  and  Lord  of 
lords !  hail,  most  glorious  Redeemer  of 
our  souls!  whose  death  quickens  and 
gives  life  to  the  world. 

O  blessed  Saviour!  have  mercy  on  m©> 
for  thy  goodness'  sake  ;  forgive  all  my 
sins,  destroy  and  mortify  in  me  whatever 
displeaseth  thee.  Make  me  one  accord- 
ing to  thy  heart,  and  grant  that,  to  tha 
utmost  of  my  power,  I  may  most  dili- 
gently imitate  thy  holy  life.  O  blessed 
Father  of  Heaven !  behold,  I  offer  thee 
tiie  most  holy  incarnation,  life,  and 
passion,  of  thy  dearly  beloved  Son,  Jesus 
Christ,  in  full  satisfaction  for  all  our  sins, 
and  perfect  amendment  of  our  lives. 
Grant,  most  merciful  Father!  through 
the  merits  of  thj  only  begotten  Son,  to 
the  living,  mercy  and  grace,  and  to  the 
souk  departed,  rest  and  hfe  everlasting. 
Amen. 


220 
INSTRUCTIONS  AND  DEVOTIONS  ij 

FOR 

CONFIRMATION. 

Confirmation  is  a  sacrament  insti- 
tuted by  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  to  ena- 
ble us  to  arrive  at  the  state  of  perfect 
Christians,  and  to  strengthen  the  spiri- 
tual life  of  grace,  which  we  received  at 
baptism.  It  is  called  confirmation  from 
its  effect,  which  is  to  confirm  and  fdriifij 
those  who  receive  it,  with  the  necessary 
dispositions,  in  the  profession  of  the  true 
faith,  to  arm  them  against  their  spiritual 
enemies,  and  to  complete  and  finish  in 
them  the  sanctification  which  baptism 
had  began.  In  baptism,  we  receive  the 
character  of  the  children  of  God  :  in  con- 
firmation, we  receive  the  strength  of  men, 
and  the  character  of  the  soldiers  of  Jesus 
Christ,  says  St.  Melchiades.  In  baptism, 
we  are  enlisted  under  the  standard  of 
Christ  crucified  :  in  confirmation,  we 
are  armed  with  the  shield  of  faith,  and  en- 
abled to  combat  against  the  devil,  the 
world,  and  the  flesh.  In  baptism  we  are 
regenerated,  and  receive  the  sanctifying 
g^race  of  God,  for  the  remission  of  sins: 
m  confirmation,  we  are  prepared  for  a 
spiritual  warfare^  and  receive  the  Holy 


CONFIRMATION.  221 

Ghost,  for  force  and  corroboration, 
that  we  may  stand  firm  in  the  divine 
service,  for  the  sake  of  Christ,  with  a 
holy  vigour  of  spirit  and  constancy  of 
mind,  amidst  the  terrors  of  the  severest 
Uials  and  persecutions. 

The  effects  of  this  sacrament  appeared 
visibly,  not  only  in  thousands  of  holy 
martyrs,  but  also  in  the  apostles,  who, 
after  they  had  been  confirmed  on  Whit- 
sunday, by  the  Holy  Ghost  coming 
down  upon  them,  were  immediately 
changed  into  new  men,  and  were  ani- 
mated by  this  Divine  Spirit  to  that  de- 
gree, that  sufferings  for  the  sv/eet  name  of 
Jesus  became  the  subject  of  their  glory. 
It  is  evident,  from  Acts  3  and  19,  that 
the  Apostles  practised  confirmation,  as  a 
means  to  communicate  the  graces  and 
gifts  of  the  Holy  Ghost  to  the  faithful 
It  is  of  confirmation,  also,  that  St.  Paul 
makes  mention,  Heb.  vi.  1,  2,  and  2  Cor. 
i.  21,  22,  where  he  expressly  says,  JYmo 
he  who  confirmeth  lis  with  you  in  Christy 
and  hath  anointed  us,  is  God;  who  hath 
also  sealed  us,  and  g^iven  ns  the  tamest  of 
the  Spirit  in  our  hearts. 

The  testimonies  of  the  most  ancient 
writers  plainly  show  that  the  church  of 
God,  from  the  Apostles'  days,  has  always 
Delieved  confirmation  to  be  a  sacrament 


SSii  INSTRUCTIONS  FOR 

of  the  new  law,  and  administered  it  as 
such.  Among  the  rest,  St.  Clement,  a 
contemporary  of  the  Apostles,  says, 
chap.  4,  that  he  received  this  doctrine 
from  blessed  Peter  and  other  Apostles; 
and  therefore  he  exhorts  all,  without 
delay,  to  hasten  to  be  signed  by  the 
bishop,  that  they  may  receive  the  seven- 
fold grace  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  since  he 
cannot  be  a  perfect  Christian  who  wil- 
fully neglects  this  sacrament.  TertuUian, 
St.  Fabian,  and  St.  Melchiades,  who 
flourished  in  the  second,  third,  and  fourth 
centuries;  St.  Cyprian,  3t.  Jerome,  St. 
Ambrose,  &,c.,  have  handed  down  the 
same  doctrine;  and  St.  Augustine,  lib.  2. 
cent.  lit.  Pelil.  c.  104,  says,  in  express 
terms,  "The  sacrament  of  chrism,  in  the 
kind  of  visible  seals,  is  sacred  and  holy, 
even  as  baptism  itself"  Moreover,  it  is 
plain  from  the  8th  chap,  of  the  Acts  of 
the  Apostles,  v.  14,  that  the  visible  sign 
of  the  imposition  of  hands  has  annexed 
to  it  an  invisible  gi-ace,  viz.,  the  impart- 
ing of  the  Holy  Ghost.  Consequently, 
confirmation  is  a  sacrament;  as  it  has 
all  the  things  necessary  to  constitute  a 
sacrament;  and  is  a  visible  sign  of  an  m- 
visible  grace,  Sfc. 

The   ordinary  minister  of  this  sacrs^- 
ment  is  a  bishop  only ;  and  it  was  foi 


CONFIRMATION.  223 

Ais  reason  that  St.  Peter  and  St.  John, 
who  were  both  bishops,  were  sent  to  con- 
firm the  Samaritans,  who  had  been  con- 
verted and  baptized  by  Philip,  the  Dea- 
con;  which  is  an  additional  proof  that 
confirmation  is  a  holy-  sacrament,  and 
not  a  mere  ceremony,  as  Calvm  pretends  ; 
for  were  it  only  a  ceremony  which  they 
administered,  why  did  not  Philip  the 
Deacon,  who  baptized  the  Samaritans, 
use  that  ceremony  ? — where  was  the  ne- 
cessity of  sending  two  bishops  to  Sama- 
ria, as  the  Apostles  did  ?     Acts,  viii. 

As  water  is  made  use  of  in  baptism,  so 
chrism  is  used  in  confirmation.  Chrism  is 
a  sacred  ointment,  composed  of  oil  of 
diiyes  and  balsam  or  halm  of  Gilead, 
solemnly  blessed  by  a  bishop  on  Holy 
Thursday.  The  unction,  or  outward 
anointing  with  Chrism,  represents  the  in- 
ward anointing  of  the  soul  with  the  gifts 
of  the  Holy  Ghost;  as  the  outward 
ablution  with  water,  in  baptism,  denotes 
the  inward  washing  of  the  soul,  by  the 
sanctifying  grace  of  God.  The  oil,  whose 
properties  are  to  assuage  pains,  to  fortify 
the  limbs,  and  to  give  a  certain  vigour  to 
the  body,  represents  the  spiritual  effects 
of  the  grace  of  this  sacrament  in  the  soul  ; 
and  the  balm,  which  is  of  a  sweet  smell, 
dnd  whose  property  it  is  to  preserve  bo- 


224  INSTRUCTIONS  FOR 

dies  from  putrefaction,  represents  the  good  I 
odour,  or  sweet  savour  of  Christian  vir- 
tues, with  which  we  are  to  edify  our  neigh- 
bours, after  having  received  this  sacra- 
ment. The  form  of  words  used  in  confer- 
ring this  sacrament  are  these :  /  sign  thee 
with  tJie  sign  of  the  cross,  I  confirm  thee  \ 
with  the  chrism  of  salvation,  in  the  name  of 
the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy 
Ghost.  Whilst  the  bish.op  pronounces 
the  form,  he  makes  the  sign  of  the  cross, 
with  the  lioly  chrism,  upon  the  forehead 
of  each  person  that  is  to  be  confirmed, 
to  give  them  to  understand,  that  no 
worldly  fear  or  shame  is  to  deter  them 
from  confessing  Christ  crucified,  but  that 
they  are  openly  to  profess  the  doctrine 
and  maxims  of  his  Gospel,  and  live  as  be- 
comes members  of  his  church,  in  spite  ot 
the  ill  example  and  corrupt  maxims  of 
the  world.  Hence  TertuUian  says,  1.  1. 
adv.  Marc.  "  The  flesh  is  anointed, 
that  the  soul  may  be  consecrated.  The 
flesh  is  signed,  that  the  soul  may  be  fenced  . 
The  flesh,  by  the  imposition  of  hands,  is  t 
shadowed,  that  the  soul,  by  the  spirit, 
may  be  illuminated."  This  is  what  the ' 
bishop  prays  for,  when,  turning  himself 
towards  those  who  are  Xo  be  confirmed, . 
with  his  hands  joined  before  his  breast, 
he  says,  May  the  Holy  Glwst  come  down 


CONFIRMATION.  2^5 

upon  ymi,  and  the  power  of  the  Most  High 
keep  you  from  ail  sins. — -Amen.  A  litiJe 
blow  is  given  on  the  cheek  to  the  persons 
comfirmed,  to  imprint  in  their  minds,  that 
jhey  are  to  be  ready  to  bear,  with  meek- 
ness and  patience,  all  crosses,  persecu- 
tions, trials,  affronts,  and  injuries,  for  the 
sake  and  glory  of  their  Lord  and  Master 
Jesus  Christ.  At  the  same  time  the 
bishop  says.  Peace  he  with  thee,  to  signify, 
Uiat  the  true  peace  of  God,  which,  as  St. 
Paul  says,  eoxeeds  all  understanding,  is 
chiefly  to  be  found  in  patient  suffering 
for  God  and  his  truths.  Lastly,  the 
bishop  prays  for  those  who  have  been 
confirmed,  that  the  Holy  Ghost  may  ever 
dwell  in  their  hearts,  and  make  them 
temples  of  his  glory.  After  wlrich  he 
dismisses  them  with  his  blessing,  &.c. 

Q.  Can  the  sacrament  of  confirmation 
be  received  more  than  once? 

A.  No :  because,  like  baptism,  it  im- 
prints an  indehble  character,  or  spiritual 
mark  in  the  soul,  which  always  remains, 

Q.  Is  there  any  spiritual  kindred  con- 
tracted in  confirmation? 

A.  Yes :  the  godfather,  or  the  god- 
mother, contracts  the  same  spiritual 
kindred  as  in  the  sacrament  of  baptism. 

Q.  Is  confirmation  absolutely  necessary 
to  salvation  ? 

15 


226  INSTRUCTIONS  FOR 

A.  It  is  not  so  necessary  but  that  a  per- 
son may  be  saved  without  it ;  yet, 
w^hen  a  favourable, opportunity  offers  for 
receiving  it,  it  would  be  certainly  a  sin  to 
neglect  so  powerful  a  help  to  salvation, 
and  deprive  ourselves  of  the  benefit  of 
his  holy  sacrament,  which  our  blessed 
Redeemer  was  mercifully  pleased,  of  his 
infinite  goodness,  to  institute,  as  the 
never-failing  means  in  his  church  to 
communicate  his  Divine  Spirit  to  his  fol- 
lowers. It  would  be  still  a  more  grievous 
crime  to  neglect  confirmation  through 
contempt,  disregard,  or  want  of  faith.  It 
is  to  a  wilful  neglect  of  this  sacrament 
that  the  holy  Fathers  attribute  the  down- 
fal  of  several  apostates  from  the  true  re- 
ligion. 

Q.  What  kind  of  persons  stand  most 
m  need  of  the  grace  of  this  sacrament? 

A.  Those  who  are  the  most  exposed 
to  temptations  against  faith,  or  to  perse- 
cutions upon  account  of  their  religion. 

Q.  At  what  age  may  a  person  be  con- 
firmed? 

A.  Ordinarily  speaking,  the  church  does 
not  give  confirmation  to  children  before 
they  are  seven  years  old,  but  defers  it  till, 
they  come  to  the  use  of  reason,  and  are 
sufficiently  instructed  and  prepared. 
Fathers  and  mothers  should  take  care  to,  ■ 


CONFIRMATION.  227 

have  tKem  carefully  instructed  in  the 
Christian  doctrine,  and  regularly  pre- 
sented to  the  bishop  for  confirmation,  at 
the  proper  time,  before  they  have  re- 
ceived the  blessed  eucharist.  If  their 
children  be  lost  through  ignorance  they 
5hall  answer  for  it  to  God, 

Q.  What  are  the  dispositions  necessary 
for  receiving  the  sacrament  of  confirma- 
tion worthily  1 

A.  A  person  must  be  free  from  the 
guilt  of  mortal  sin,  and  in  the  state  of 
grace,  for  the  Holy  Spirit  of  wisdom  will 
A)t  enter  into  a  malicious  soul,  nor  dwell 
in  a  body  subject  to  sins.  Wisd.  i.  4.  He 
must  also  be  well  instructed  in  the  princi- 
ples of  the  Christian  faith,  according  to 
his  age  and  capacity,  and  have  a  proper 
sense  of  what  he  is  doing. 

Q.  In  what  manner,  then,  must  a 
person  prepare  himself  for  confirmation  ? 

A.  First,  he  must  examine  his  con- 
science diligently,  and  if  he  finds  it 
charged  with  wilful  sin,  he  must  take 
care  to  purge  it  by  a  good  sacramental 
confession  J  for  it  would  be  a  grievous 
sacrilege  to  presume  to  receive  the  sacra- 
ment of  confirmation  knowingly  in  a 
state  of  mortal  sin.  Secondly,  he  must 
prepare  himself  some  days  before,  by 
devout  and  humble  prayer,  frequently 


228  tItSTRUCTIONS  FOR 

and  fervently  calling  upon  God  to  dispose 
his  soul  for  receiving  the  Holy  Ghost, 
who  communicates  his  gracious  gifts  and 
favours  in  proportion  to  the  dispositions 
with  which  they  are  received. 

Q.  As  confirmation  is  ordained  for  the 
sanctification  of  souls,  why  do  not  all 
who  receive  it  become  saints  ? 

Jl.  The  fault  is  entirely  their  own. 
God,  on  his  part,  is  ready  to  bestow  all 
the  graces  necessary  to  enable  them  to 
become  saints ;  but  alas !  how  few  are 
disposed  to  improve  and  co-operate  with 
them  as  they  might  and  ought!  how  few 
make  the  proper  use  of  them!  How 
many,  on  the  contrary,  resist  them,  like 
the  stiff-necked  Jews!  how  many  corir 
tristate  and  extinguish  the  Divine  Spirit! 
as  the  Apostle  expresses  it.  How  many 
banish  this  heavenly  guest  from  the  tem- 
ple of  their  souls,  by  falling  into  mortal 
sin,  and  thus  obstruct  the  operation  of 
this  holy  sacrament! 

Q.  Is  a  person  obliged  to  receive  the 
sacrament  of  confirmation  fasting? 

Jl.  No,  there  is  no  strict  obligation  or 
precept  for  it,  though  to  fast  on  the  eve 
and  day  of  confirmation,  is  a  laudable 
custom,  and  conformable  to  the  practice 
of  the  primitive  church. 

Q.  Why  are  the  fervent  exercises  of 


CONFIRMATION.  229 

piety  and  devotion  required  before  con- 
firmation'? 

Jl.  For  two  reasons;  First,  because 
our  Saviour  has  assured  us,  that  his 
heavenly  Father  icill  ^ve  his  good  Spirit  to 
them  that  ask  it.  LuKe  xi.  13. — Secondly, 
in  imitation  oi'the  Apostles,  who  during 
the  ten  days  between  the  ascension  of 
our  Lord,  and  the  descent  of  the  Holy 
Ghost  on  Pentecost,  retired  from  the  noise 
and  tumults  of  the  world,  and  continued 
with  one  accord  in  prayer,  with  Mary, 
the  mother  of  Jesus,  and  with  his  brethren. 
Acts  i.  14. 

Q.  Why  are  we  to  invoke  the  Holy 
Ghost  in  particular? 

A.  Not  that  we  are  to  neglect  praying 
to  the  Father  and  Son  also,  as  we  know 
that  all  the  three  persons  are  but  one  and 
the  same  God,  but  because  the  work  of 
our  sanctification,  the  pouring  down  the 
grace  of  God  into  our  souls,  and  ail  the 
heavenly  favours  and  helps  that  are 
necessary  for  conducting  us  in  the  way 
of  salvation,  are  the  eflects  of  the  divine 
love,  and  are,  by  a  peculiar  appropriation, 
attributed,  in  a  special  manner,  to  the 
oj)pration  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  as  he  is  the 
love  of  the  Father  and  of  the  Son,  as  it  is 
from  God^s  love  that  all  grace,  all  virtue 
and  sanctification  flow  and  proceed. 


230  DEVOTIONS  FOR 

A  pray&r  before  Confirmalion. 

O  GOD  of  infinite  goodness  and  bounty  ! 
who  hast  been  pleased  in  my  baptism  to 
make  me  a  Chrisiian,  to  sanctify  my  soul 
with  thy  grace,  and  to  honour  me  with 
the  glorious  title  of  thy  child;  which,  alas! 
for  my  part,  I  have  so  wretchedly  cor 
responded  with,  and  have  even  forfeited 
a  thousand  times  by  my  sins ;  behoid, 
notwithstanding  all  my  ingratitude,  und 
my  repeated  treasons,  which  tliou  »iast 
so  long  and  so  patiently  endured,  mou 
art  still  pleased,  not  only  to  invite  i  le  to 
return  to  thee,  and  to  offer  me  thy  mercy, 
but  also  to  call  upon  me  at  this  time,  to 
come  and  present  myself,  in  order  lo  re- 
ceive the  greatest  of  all  thy  gifts,  even 
thine  own  most  Holy  Spirit,  to  be  con- 
secrated to  thee  by  this  unction,  to  be 
made  a  strong  and  perfect  Christian,  and 
a  soldier  of  thy  Son.  O !  may  all  heaven 
and  earth  praise  thee,  bless  thee,  and 
glorify  thee  for  ever,  for  all  thy  mercies, 
goodness,  and  bounty  tome!  And  now, 
dearest  Lord!  I  desire  to  come,  because 
such  is  thy  will,  and  my  duty,  to  receive 
this  great  sacrament  of  confirmation  :  that 
I  may,  like  thy  apostles,  be  baptized  with 
the  Holy  GJwst,  and  endowed  with  poioef 
from  on  hi^h;  and  like  them  be  changed 


CONFIRMATION. 


231 


by  divine  grace,  into  another  man,  in  such 
manner  as  henceforward  to  live  up  to 
the  dignity,  and  to  fulfil  every  part  of  the 
duty  of  SL  soldier  of  Christ;  and  to  preserve 
and  maintain,  even  to  death,  that  purity 
and  sanctity,  which  become  the  temple  of 
tlie  living  God.  But,  O  my  God!  how 
far  am  I  from  being  worthy  to  approach 
this  heavenly  sacrament !  How  can  I  ex- 
pect that  the  Holy  Spirit  should  come 
into  my  inward  house,  to  make  it  his 
temple,  which  has  been  so  long  possessed 
by  unclean  spirits  ?  Where  are  the  dis- 
positions in  me,  which  the  apostles 
brought,  and  which  all  the  Christians 
ought  to  bring  along  with  them,  to  ths 
receiving  of  the  Holy  Ghost?  O!  I  ac- 
knowledge myself  infinitely  unworthy ; 
I  confess  and  detest,  from  the  bottom  of 
my  heart,  all  my  past  uncleanness  and 
abominations ;  I  humbly  crave  thy  mercy 
and  pardon,  through  Jesus  Christ  thy  Son; 
and  beg,  through  him,  that  thou  wilt  be 
pleased  to  cleanse  my  soul  from  all  its 
filth  with  his  precious  blood,  and  give  me 
thy  grace  to  come  to  this  sacrament,  with 
that  humility,  faith,  and  devotion,  which 
is  most  agreeable  to  thee.  O  divine  Spirit! 
do  thou  prepare  my  soul  for  thyself! 
Behold,  I  come,  desiring  to  give  up  my- 
self to  thee  for  lime  and  eternity ;  thai 


232  DEVOTIONS    FOR 

thou  mayest  ever  live  and  reign  in  my 
soul:  and  O!  let  my  whole  soul  hence- 
forward be  perpetually  subject  to  thee, 
and  let  nothing  in  me  evermore  rebel 
against  thee !  Amen. 

Those  wlw  are  preparing  themselves  for  tfa 
Sacrament  of  Confirmation  may  like- 
wise breathe  forth,  from  time  to  time, 
the  following  slwrt  ejaculations. 

Come,  Holy  Ghost!  who  replenishes! 
the  hearts  of  the  faithful,  descend  into  my 
soul,  and  make  it  the  place  of  thy  abode. 

Come,  O  divine  Spirit!  take  full  pos- 
session of  my  heart,  and  kindle  in  it  the 
fire  of  divine  love. 

Enter  into  my  soul,  and  abide  there  for 
ever,  to  be  my  light,  my  guide,  and  my 
strength. 

Come,  Holy  Ghost !  with  all  thy  gifts, 
and  fill  my  soul ;  enlighten,  direct,  and 
conduct  me  in  all  my  ways,  strengthen 
me  against  all  the  assaults  of  self-love  ; 
remove  from  me  all  vicious  shame,  and 
inspire  me  with  a  Christian  courage. 

O  !  grant,  that  I  may  make  the  Gospel 
the  rule  of  my  life.  Preserve  me  from 
the  corruption  of  sin,  and  from  the  per- 
nicious maxims  of  the  world.  Give  me 
grace,  0  God  I  to  do  thy  will  in  all  things. 


CONFIRMATION.  233 

Enlighten  my  eyes,  O  Lord !  that  I  may 
never  sleep  in  death. 

O  uncreated  Fire !  when  wilt  thoa 
consume  whatever  is  imperfect  in  my 
soul? 

Inebriate  my  soul  with  thy  holy  love, 
O  thou  sovereign  beauty  ! 

O !  may  I  never  forget  the  obligations 
that  are  contracted  by  being  enlisted  a 
disciple  of  the  cross,  in  the  sacrament  of 
confirmation. 

'  O !  grant,  that  I  may  ever  have  before 
my  eyes  the  duties  thereunto  annexed, 
and  that  I  may  live  henceforth  accord- 
ing to  the  spirit  of  a  true  and  perfect 
Christian. 

"Short  ejaculations  of  this  kind,  fre- 
quently darted  from  an  humble  and  fer- 
vent heart,  penetrate  the  clouds,  pierce 
the  paternal  heart  of  the  Father  of 
mercies,  and  draw  down  an  ample  bene- 
diction on  those  pious  souls,  to  whom 
they  become  familiar  by  practice  and 
habit.  This  manner  of  prayer  is  highly 
commended  by  the  Saints,  and  was  one 
of  the  principal  exercises,  by  which  the 
ancient  Solitaries  arrived  at  the  highest 
perfection.  It  has  this  peculiar  advan- 
tage, that  it  can  be  practised  at  all  times, 
on  all  occasions,  and  in  the  midst  of  ex- 


234 


DEVOTIONS    FOR 


lernal  employments,  without  being  ex- 
posed to  the  danger  of  vain-glory,  as  it  ia 
secretly  performed  in  the  closet  of  the 
heart.  It  is  short  and  easy,  does  not  dis- 
tract or  fatigue  the  mind,  but  keeps  up 
the  fervour  of  the  spirit,  and  attention  to 
the  divine  presence." 

A  Prayer  after  Confirmation. 

My  God!  I  now  desire  to  adore  thee, 
bless  thee,  and  glorify  thee  for  ever,  for 
all  thou  hast  done  for  me,  and  for  thy 
whole  church,  both  of  heaven  and  earth. 
I  v/ould  now  gladly  join  my  heart  and 
voice,  with  all  thy  angels  and  saints  in 
heaven,  and  with  all  that  fear  thee,  and 
love  thee  on  earth,  in  giving  perpetual 
praise  to  thee  for  thy  infinite  goodness, 
and  in  particular  for  that  love  thou  hast 
showed  to  me  this  day.  I  give  thee 
thanks,  from  the  bottom  of  my  heart,  for 
having  sent  down  thy  Holy  Spirit  into 
my  soul,  with  all  its  gifts  and  graces.  Oi 
let  him  now  take  full  possession  of  my 
soul :  let  this  heavenly  unction  penetrate 
into  the  very  centre  of  my  interior  :  let 
his  divine  wisdom  ever  preside  there  ; 
may  it  ever  enlighten  me  with  his  gift  of 
understanding,  and. dispel  all  my  dark- 
ness ;  may  it  direct  me  v/ith  his  ce*insel. 


CONFIRMATION.  235 

Strengthen  me  with  his  fortitude,  instruct 
me  with  his  knowledge,  make  me  ever 
fervent  in  all  good  with  his  piety  and  god- 
liness, and  let  his  divine  fear  ever  restrain 
me  from  all  evil.  And  now,  dear  Lord  ! 
since  thou  hast  been  pleased,  by  this 
sacrament,  to  consecrate  and  to  sanctify 
my  soul  for  thyself,  and  to  make  it  thy 
temple  ;  be  pleased  also  to  drive  far  from 
it,  by  thy  grace,  all  that  may  violate  or 
profane  it,  or  render  it  any  ways  disagree- 
able in  thy  eyes.  O !  keep  it  for  ever  thy- 
self, and  restrain  Satan  from  ever  enter- 
ing into  it  any  more.  O !  let  it  be  a  house 
affrayer,  in  which  thou  may  est  be  ever 
worshipped  in  spint  and  in  truth,  and 
suffer  it  not  to  be  made  any  more  a  den 
of  thieves.  Give  me  grace  also  to  fulfil, 
with  perfection,  every  branch  of  the  duty 
of  thy  soWicr,  which  glorious  title  thou  hast 
conferred  on  me  this  day  :  arm  me  com- 
pletely for  the  warfare  in  which  I  am 
happily  engaged,  and  stand  by  me  in  all 
my  conflicts,  to  crown  me  with  victory. 
O !  make  me  faithful  unto  death,  and 
bring  me  safe  through  all  the  dangers  of 
my  mortal  pilgrimage,  to  the  crown  of 
everlasting  life  j  through  Christ  Jesus  our 
Lord,  .dinen. 


236  CONFIRMATION. 

Tlie  hymns  appointed  hij  the  Church  fot 
invocatin^  the  Hohj  Ghost,  and  proper  to 
be  recited  before  receiving  the  sacrament 
of  Confirmation,  are.  Spirit,  Creator  of 
Mankind;  Come,  Holy  Ghost,  send  down 
those  beams. 

A  Prayer  after  the  Hymv^. 

O  GOD !  to  whom  every  heart  lies  open, 
every  will  speaks  its  desire,  and  from 
whom  no  secret  is  concealed:  purify  the 
thoughts  of  our  hearts  by  the  mspiration 
of  the  Holy  Ghost,  in  order  that  we  may 
perfectly  love  thee,  and  worthily  praise 
I'.hee,  Through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
thy  Son,  who  with  thee  and  the  same 
Holy  Ghost,  who  liveth,  &c.,  Amen.     ' 


237 
PRAYER 

FOR    THE    CHURCH. 

O  MOST  gracious  Father!  sanctify 
thy  Church :  take  away  from  it  all 
schisms  and  scaiulals,  that  it  may  be 
one  fold  under  one  Shepherd.  Pour 
down  thy  mercy  on  the  nations  thai 
know  thee  not,  an.d  enlighten  their 
hearts  that  they  may  acknowledge  and 
love  thee.  Dissipate  the  councils  of 
the  wicked,  that  they  may  cease  to 
oppose  thy  kingdom  and  the  propaga- 
tion of  thy  glory.  To  our  beloved 
father,  Gregory  XVI.,  to  all  prelates, 
bishops,  priests,  and  to  all  religious 
orders  and  communities,  grant  thy  di- 
vine love,  that  they  may  rightly  fulfil 
the  duties  of  their  states.  To  all 
rulers,  princes,  kings  and  magistrates, 
give  thy  wisdom,  whereby  they  may 
faithfully  administer  the  laws  and 
follow  peace ;  and  to  thy  people  give 
thy  benediction.  Vouchsafe  to  grant 
to  the  agonizing  true  contrition  and 
thy  love:  to  sinners,  true  repentance 
and  pardon  of  their  offences :  to  our 


238  PRAYERS. 

enemies  thy  charity  and  sweetness  :  to 
our  friends,  benefactors  and  relatives 
thy  grace  and  blessing. 

Mercifully  deign  so  to  direct  us  in 
all  our  thoughts,  words  and  actions, 
that  thy  holy  Church  may  be  moie 
and  more  strengthened  and  glorified : 
and  that  thy  worship  may  always  and 
everywhere  flourish,  and  continue  until 
thy  coming. 

To  the  souls  in  purgatory,  to  those 
who  especially  need  our  prayers,  or 
for  whom  we  are  bound  to  pray,  grant 
eternal  rest  and  the  joys  of  thy  hea- 
venly kingdom. 

"  The  Church  of  God  is  helped  by 
nought  so  much,  as  by  the  secret  pray- 
ers and  intercession  of  holy  souls  " 


PRAYERS.  239 

1  BELIEVE  THE  HOLT  CATHOLIC  CHURCH. 

O  GLORIOUS,  O  venerable,  O  holy 
Church,  whose  Saints  are  Sages,  whose 
Sages  are  Apostles,  whose  Apostles  are 
Martyrs,  whose  princes  are  the  hum- 
ble !  O  beautiful  Church,  whose  poetry 
is  divine,  w^hose  music  is  angelical, 
whose  painting  is  inspired,  whose  archi- 
tecture is  inimitable! 

Rise  up,  O  Shepherd  of  this  flock  of 
ages,  rise  up,  O  head  and  leader  of  the 
hosts  of  God  on  earth ;  rise  up,  O  bishop 
of  the  Churches  of  Rome  and  of  the 
world,  call  around  thee  some  few 
honourod  from  among  thy  multitudes. 
Show  to  those  who  know  thee  not,  and 
are  proud  because  they  know  thee  not, 
show  them  thy  great  Gregories,  thy 
great  Augustins,  thy  great  Aquins,  thy 
Benedicts  and  thy  Loyolas  :  Show  them 
thy  Antonies,  and  thy  Xaviers,  thy  Ed- 
wards and  thy  Charlemagnes,  thy 
Catharines  and  thy  Clares.  Show  them 
thy  Dantes,  thy  Angelicos,  thy  Raphaels, 
and  show  them  those  whose  names 
we  know  not,  but  whose  works  are 


240  PRAYERS. 

superhuman  in  science,  and  in  beauty, 
and  in  majesty.  Show  thyself  to  them, 
O  St.  Peter,  the  fisherman  of  Galilee, 
founder  of  an  eternal  dynasty,  Fatlier 
of  an  eternal  philosophy,  master., of 
the  great  masters  in  all  tlie  arts  of  the 
noble.  Show  thyself  to  them,  O  thou 
Rock  Catholic,  that  all  who  would  have 
dieir  works  to  stand  may  build  on  thee ; 
Show  tliyself  to  them,  O  thou  Spring 
Catholic,  that  all  who  would  be  inspired 
may  drink  of  thee;  Show  thyself  to 
them  O  thou  Shepherd  Catholic,  that 
all  who  would  be  folded  with  tlie  flock 
of  Christ  may  flee  to  thee.  Show  thy- 
self to  all  the  world,  that  all  the  world 
may  become  Catholic  in  wisdom.  Catho- 
lic in  science.  Catholic  in  faith  :  that  the 
beauties  and  the  miracles  of  Rome 
may  be  seen  every  where,  that  llie 
ministers  of  England  may  be  multiplied 
in  both  the  Indies  ;  that  thy  schools  may 
be  ubiquitary,  and  their  scholars  once 
more  be  armies.  Rise  up,  O  glorious 
Vicar  of  God,  not  in  anger,  but  in  power ; 
Smite  not,  but  pity  ;  Remember  thy  own 
unfaithfuhiess,  and  pray  for  those  who 


PRAYERS.  2-11 

have  not  followed  thy  repentance. 
Pray  for  our  country,  pray  for  our  dear 
islands  of  our  Fathers,  pray  for  our 
offspring,  that  the  people  whose  habita- 
tions the  day-light  never  dies  upon,  the 
music  of  whose  language  is  breathed 
by  all  thp  winds,  may  become  dwellers 
in  the  tabernacle  of  holiness,  and 
chant  thy  hallowed  liturgy,  and  the 
nameof  Jesus,  with  the  sun  that  never 
sets. — Amen. 


16 


242 
A  PRAYER. 

Have  compassion  on  me,  O  Godi 
and  mercifully  deliver  me  from  the  per- 
plexity in  which  I  am,  be  a  helper  to 
me,  and  direct  me  in  fulfilling  thy 
blessed  will.  Thou  seest  the  danger  in 
which  I  am  of  ruining  myself — of  beino 
misled  by  my  own  deceitful  passions — 
of  being  drawn  into  the  snares  of  the 
enemy — of  framing  to  myself  a  false, 
rash,  and  erroneous  conscience — of 
mistaking  light  for  darkness  and 
darkness  for  light.  If  this  be  my  un- 
happy condition,  what  will  become  of 
my  soul  ?  Direct  me  therefore,  in  this 
important  inquiry,  O  my  God,  and 
never  let  me  be  so  miserable  as  to  for- 
sake my  duty  and  iose  my  soul.  As 
thou  didst  show  mercy  to  Corne- 
lius, and  directed  him  to  Peter,  by 
whom  he  was  to  be  taught  the  way  to 
heaven,  as  thou  didst  show  mercy  to 
Saul,  and  sent  him  to  Ananias,  by  whom 
he  was  to  learn  the  holy  will,  so  like- 
wise, O  God  of  innnite  goodness,  show 
flfiorcy  to  me,  an  unworthy  sinner,  itial 


PRATERS.  243 

I  may  have  both  light  to  know  my 
duty,  and  courage  to  comply  entirely' 
with  it.  And  if  thou  seest,  O  Lord, 
that  in  reality  I  have  taken  part  with 
false  teachers,  behold  me  here  in  thy 
presence,  ready  to  renounce  the  errors 
I  have  professed,  whatever  they  are.  1 
disown  the  allurements  by  which  I 
have  been  misled :  and  now  lay  before 
thee  my  most  sincere  desire  of  becom- 
ing a  member  of  thy  true  Church. 
Hear  my  prayer,  O  God,  in  this  great 
affair  of  eternity  ;  and  so  lead  my  soul 
by  thy  grace,  that  while  I  seek  the 
truth,  I  may  not  be  obstinate  against  it. 
I  beseech  thee  to  take  from  me,  all 
blindness  of  judgement,  and  corruption 
of  heart;  let  not  interest,  worldly  con- 
sideration, or  human  respect,  bias  me ; 
let  not  education,  custom,  or  affection, 
prevail  against  truth,  but  let  my  soul 
act  with  that  freedom,  which  the  im- 
portance of  the  affair  requires.  Assist 
me,  most  merciful  Father,  in  what  I 
have  now  before  me,  give  me  under- 
standing and  courage,  and  suffer  me 
not  to  be  deluded,  as  thou  knosvest  my 


244  PRAYERS. 

only  desire  is  to  find  thee  and  do  tliy 
will.  Assist  me,  O  God,  and  be  thou 
my  guide,  for  thus  only  can  I  come  to 
thee,  O  iVlmighty  and  Eternal  God, 
Father  of  mercies,  and  Saviour  of  man- 
kind ;  I  humbly  entreat  thee,  by  thy 
sovereign  goodness,  to  enlighten  my 
mind,  and  to  move  my  heart,  that  by 
faith,  hope,  and  charity,  I  may  live  and 
die  in  the  true  religion  of  Jesus  Christ. 
J  am  sure  that  as  there  is  but  one  true 
God,  so  there  can  be  but  one  faith ;  one 
religion,  one  way  of  salvation ;  and 
that  every  other  way,  contrary  to  this, 
can  only  lead  to  endless  misery.  It  is 
this  faith,  O  my  God,  which  I  earnestly 
desire  to  embrace,  in  order  to  save  my 
soul ;  1  protest  therefore,  before  thy  Di- 
vine Majesty,  that  I  will  follow  that 
religion,  which  thou  shalt  show  me  to 
be  true,  and  that,  cost  what  it  may,  I 
will  abandon  that  in  which  I  shall  dis- 
cover error  and  falsehood.  J  do  not 
deserve,  it  is  true,  this  favour,  on  ac- 
count of  the  greatness  of  my  sins,  for 
wliich  1  now  have  a  profound  sorrow ; 
because  they  offend  a  God,  so  good,  so 


PRAYERS.  245 

great,  so  holy  and  so  worthy  of  all  my 
love.  What  I  do  not  myself  deserve,  I 
hope  to  obtahi  from  thy  infinite  mercy, 
and  I  conjure  thee  to  grant  it,  through 
the  merits  of  the  precious  blood  which 
was  shed  for  us  poor  sinners,  by  thy 
only  begotten  Son,  Christ  Jesus  our 
Lord.     Amen. 


PLENARY  INDULGENCE. 

A  PRAYER  BEFORE  THE  CRUCIFIX,  OR  PIC- 
TURE OF    JESUS  CHRIST  CRUCIFIED. 

Clement  VIII.  and  Benedict  XIV. 
have  granted  a  plenary  indulgence  to 
those  who  recite  the  following  prayer, 
before  any  image  or  representation  of 
Christ  crucified,  provided  they  confess 
and  approach  the  holy  communion. 
This  indulgence  is  confirmed  by  Pops 
Pius  VII.,  by  a  decree  of  the  sacred  con- 
gregation of  indulgences,  dated  the  10th 
of  April,  1821,  and  is  made  applicable, 
by  way  of  suffrage  to  the  suffering  souls 
in  purgatory. — Decree  of  Leo  XIL,  I7th 
September   1825. 


246 


Behold  me,  O  good  and  amiable 
Jesus  !  prostrate  in  thy  divine  presence, 
and  beseeching  thee,  with  all  the  ardour 
of  my  soul,  to  impress  upon  my  heart 
lively  sentiments  of  faith,  hope  and 
charity,  and  of  repentance  for  sins,  and 
a  most  determined  resolution  of  never 
offending  thee  again;  whilst  with  all 
the  affection  of  my  heart,  and  with  the 
sincerest  sorrow,  I  consider  and  con- 
template thy  five  wounds,  meditating 
chiefly  on  the  words  of  the  Roval 
Prophet,  concerning  thee,  O  my  Jesus  ! 
"  They  have  dug  my  hands  and  my 
feet :  they  have  numbered  all  my 
bones.''' — Psalm  xxi.  18. 

This  indulgence  can  be  gained  every 
day  by  iveeldy  penitents,  on  the  condition 
of  communion. — Decree  of  the  sacred  con- 
P'Cf^ation  of  indulgences,  9th  of  December^ 
1763,  apjyroved  by  Clement  XIII. 


247 


MANNER  OF  SERVING  A  PRIEST 
AT  MASS. 


The  Clerk  must  kneel  at  his  left  hand,  and 
answer  him  as  follows : 

P.  Introibo  ad  altare  Dei. 

C.  Ad  Deum,  qui  laetificat  juventutem 
me  am. 

P.  Judica me,  Deus,  et  discerne  causam 
meam,  de  gente  non  sancta :  ab  horaine 
iniquo  et  doloso  erue  i.-^e. 

C.  Q,uia  tu  es  Deus,  fortitude  mea: 
quare  me  repulisti,  et  quart  tristis  incedo, 
dum  affligit  me  inimicus  7 

P.  Emitte  lucem  tuam,  et  veritatem 
tuam :  ipsa  me  deduxerunt,  et  addux- 
erunt  in  montem  sanctum  tuum  et  in 
tubernacula  tua. 

C.  Et  introibo  ad  altare  Dei :  ad  Deum 
qui  laetificat  juventutem  meam. 

P.  Ccnfitebor  tibi  in  cithara,  Deus 
mens.  Q.uare  tristis  es,  anima  mea,  et 
quare  conturbas  me? 

C.  Sppra  in  Deo,  quoniam  adhuc  con- 
fitebor  illi ;  salutare  vultus  mei,  et  Deus 
meus. 

P.  Gloria  Patri,  et  Filio,  et  Spiritui 
Sancto. 


24S  MANNER  Of    JsERViISG  MASS. 

C.  Sicut  erat  in  principio,  et  nunc,  el 
semper,  et  in  specula  soeculorum.  Anieru 

P.  Introibo  ad  altare  Dei. 

C.  Ad  Deum,  qui  laetificat  juventutera 
meam. 

P.  Adjutorium  nostrum  in  nomine  Do- 
mini. 

C.  Glui  fecit  coslum  et  terram. 

P.  Confiteor  Deo,  &c. 

C.  Misereatur  tui  Omnipotens  Deus, 
et  dimissis  peccatis  tuis,  perducat  te  ad 
vitam  a3ternam. 

P.  Amen. 

C  Confiteor  Deo  omnipotent!,  beatas 
Marias  semper  virgini,  beato  Michaeb 
arcliangelo,  beato  Joanni  baptistse,  sanctia 
apostolis  Petro  et  PaulOj^omnibus  Sanctis, 
et  tibi.  Pater,  quia  peccavi  nimis,  cogi- 
tatione,  verbo,  et  opere.  [Knock  your 
breast  and  say]  Mea  culpa,  mea  culpa, 
mea  maxima  culpa.  Ideo  precor  beatam 
Mariam  semper  virginem,  bealum  Mi- 
cJiaelem  archangelum,  beatum  Joannem 
baptistam  sanclos  apostolos  Petrura  ei 
Paulum,  omnes  sanctos,  et  te  Pater — 
orare  pro  me  ad  Dominum  Deum  nos- 
trum. 

P.  Misereatur  vestri,  &c. 

C.  Amen. 

P.  Indulgentiam,  absolutionem,  &C. 

C.  Amen. 


MANNER  OF  SERVING  MASS.  249 

P.  Deus"  tu  conversus  vivificabis  nos. 

C.  Et  plebs  tua  Isetabitur  in  le. 

P.  Ostende  nobis,  Domine,  misericor- 
liam  tuam. 

C.  El  salutare  tuum  da  nobis. 

P.  Domine,  exaudi  orationem  meam. 

C.  Et  clamor  mens  ad  te  veniat. 

P.  Dominus  vobiscum, 

C.  Et  cum  spiritu  tuo. 

P.  Kyrie  eleison. 

C.  Kyrie  eleison. 

P,  Kyrie  eleison. 

C.  Christe  eleison. 

P.  Christe  eleison. 

C.  Christe  eleison. 

P.  Kyrie  eleison. 

C.  Kyrie  eleison. 

P.  Kyrie  eleison. 

P.  Dominus  vobiscum 

C.  Et  cum  spiritu  tuo. 

IVlien  the  Priest  says,  Flectamus  genua; 
answer,  Levate. 

[Jit  the  end  of  tJie  epistle  say,  Deo  graliaa 
— tlien  remove  the  rtutss-book,  and  ever  kned 
or  stand  on  the  side  contrary  to  tfiat  m 
which  the  book  Juis  been  placed.^ 

P.  Dominus  vobiscum. 
C.  El  cum  spiritu  tuo. 
P.  Sequentia    sancti  evangelii  secun- 
lum,  Scc. 


250  MANNER  VF  SERVING  MASS. 

[  Make  the  sipi  of  the  cross  and  say;] 
0.  Gloria  tibi,  Domine. 

[Make  a  reverence  at  the  beginning  and 
ending  cf  the  gospel,  and  at  the  name  of 
Jesus — and  at  the  end  say :  ] 

C.  Laus  tibi,  Christe. 
P.  Dominus  vobiscum. 
C.  Et  cum  spiritu  tuo. 

[Here  the  clerk  is  to  give  ivine  and  water, 
and  prepare  the  basin,  water,  and  towel,  fm 
the  priest.  The  pnest  having  washed,  let 
Jiim  kneel  in  his  former  place,  and  answer:] 

P.  Orate,  fratres. 

C.  Suscipiat,  Dominus  sacrificium,  de 
manibus  tuis  :id  laudem  et  gloriam  no- 
minis  sui,  ad  utilitatem  quoque  nostram, 
totiusque  ecclesice  suae  sanctoe. 

P.  Per  omnia  saecula  sasculorum. 

C.  Amen. 

P.  Dominus  vobiscum. 

C.  Et  cum  spiritu  tuo. 

P.  Sursum  corda. 

C.  Habemus  ad  Dominum. 

P.  Gratias  agamus  Domino  Deo  nostro* 

C.  Dignum  et  justum  est. 

\^t  Sanctus,  sanctus,  sanctus,  &c.  ring 
the  little  hell] 

Wlien  you  see  the  priest  spread  Ids  hem/** 


MANNER  OF  SERVING  MASS.  251 

offCt  tJie  chalice,  you  nrnst  give  warnings 
by  the  bell,  of  the  consecration  which  is 
about  to  be  made.  Then  Iwldins;  up  tlvt 
vestment  with  your  left  hand,  and  having 
Vie  hell  in  your  right,  you  must  ring  during 
Vie  elevation  of  the  host : — As  often  as  you 
pass  by  tlie  blessed  sacrament,  you  must 
adore  on  your  knees. 

P.  Per  omnia  saecula  saeculomm. 

C.  Amen. 

P.  El  ne  nos  inducas  m  tentationem. 

C.  Sed  libera  nos  a  malo. 

P.  Per  omnia  saecula  sajculorum. 

C.  Amen. 

P.  Pax  Domine  sit  semper  vobiscum. 

C.  Et  cum  spiritu  tuo. 

P.  Pax  tecum. 

C.  Et  cum  spiritu  tuo.  , 

l^Pnusing  a  little,  rise,  and  make  adora- 
■4ion  to  the  sacrament.  The  priesVs  com 
munion  being  ended,  he  ready  to  give  him 
wine  and  water.  Jf  there  be  communicants j 
■provide  a  towel,  and  say  the  confteor 
After  they  have  received,  remove  the  booh 
to  the  left  hand  of  the  altar  ;  take  away  tJu 
towel  from  the  communicants,  if  there  h 
any,  and  return  to  your  former  place.^ 

P.  Dominus  vobiscum. 
C.  Et  cum  spiritu  tuo. 
P.  Per  omnia  saecula  sseculorum. 


252  MANNER  OF  SERNING  MASS. 

C.  Amen. 

P.  Ite ;  missa  est :  or,  benedicamufl 
Domino. 

C.  Deo  gratias. 

[7/1  masses  for  the  dead.] 

JP.  Requiescani  in  pace. 

C.  Amen. 

[Remove  the  hook  if  it  he  left  open ; 
kneel  and  take  the  pricst^s  blessing.'] 

P.  Pater,  et  Filius,  et  Spiritus  Sanctus. 

C.  Amen. 

P.  Dominus  vobiscum. 

C.  Et  cum  spirilu  tuo. 

P.  Initium  (or,  sequentia)  sancti  evan- 
gelii,  Sec. 

C.  Gloria  tibi,  Dornine. 

[At  the  end  say,  Deo  gratias. 

.  Put  out  the  candles,  and  lay  up  all  dc- 
cently  and  carefully. 

If  yon  have  leisure,  meditate  awhile^  kiss 
iJiG  altar,  saying:] 

I  will  adore  in  the  place  where  his  feet 
stood. 


VESPERS.  253 

VESPERS. 

Next  to  the  offering  of  the  Eucharisti- 
cal  Sacrifice,  which  is  the  most  subUme 
and  the  most  essential  act  of  divine  wor- 
ship, the  singing  of  the  praises  of  God 
and  of  the  Lamb  is  unquestionably  the 
noblest  employment  of  a  Christian.  He 
who  sings  to  God  with  a  proper  sense  of 
devotion,  associates  himseli"  to  the  choirs 
of  angels,  and  shares  upon  earth  in  the 
sweetest  occupation  of  the  blessed  inha- 
bitants of  heaven.  It  cannot  be  doubted, 
but  that  the  most  proper  time  for  this  holy 
exercise,  is  when  the  faithful  meet  to- 
gether in  church;  and  especially  when 
tiie  Lamb  that  was  slain  on  the  cross,  for 
the  redemption  of  the  world,  continues 
on  our  altars  to  offer  himself  for  us  to 
his  heavenly  Father.  It  is  then  every 
laithful  soul  should  unite  with  him  in  the 
immortal  praises  he  gives  to  his  Father, 
and  sing  in  accord  w^ith  the  heavenly 
citizens,  the  praises  of  the  Lamb  himself: 
Wat'thy  is  the  Lamb  that  was  slain  to  rfr 
ceive  power  and  divinity,  and  wisdom  an/i 
itrengtJi,  and  honour,  and  glory,  and  ben^ 
diction.  Rev.  v.  12. 


ii54 


THE  VESPERS ; 


OR  EVENING  SONG  FOR  SUNDAYS. 


Our  Father,  8^0.  Hail  Mary,  6,'e. 


V.  Incline  unti 
my  aid,  O  God ! 

R.  OLord!  mafee 
haste  to  help  me. 

F.  Glory  be  to 
the  Father,  and  to 
the  Son,  and  to  tlie 
Holy  Ghost. 

R.  As  it  was  in 
the  beginning,  is 
now,  and  ever  shall 
be,  world  without 
end.  Amen.  Alleluia. 
Or,  Praise  be  to 
thee,  OLord!  King 
of  eternal  glory. 

Psalm  cix. 

Dixit    Dominus        The    Lord    said 
Domino     meo :     *     unto  my  Lord,  Sit 


V.  Deus  in    ad- 

jutorium  meum 
mtende. 

R.  Domine,  ad 
adjuvandum  me 
festina. 

F.  Gloria  Patri, 
et  Filio,  et  Spiritui 
Sancto. 

R.  Sicut  erat  in 
principio,  et  nunc, 
et  semper,  et  in  sae- 
cula  saeculorum. 
Amen.  Alleluia.  Or, 
Laus  tibi,  Domine, 
Rex  seternaj  glorice. 


LettKe  old  -witK  iKe  yoiin.pex.  praise  t 
iiame   of  tKe    Lord..       '  JPs-  CXLV;:: 


VESPERS  FOR  SUNDAYS. 


255 


sede  a  dextris  meis ; 

Donee  ponara 
inimicos  tuos:  sca- 
bellum  pedum  tuo- 
rum. 

Virgam  virtutis 
tuae  eruitet  Domi- 
nus  ex  Sion :  * 
dominare  in  medio 
inimicorum  tuo- 
*um. 

Tecum  principi- 
um  in  die  virtutis 
tu£e  in  splendoribus 
sanctorum;  *  ex 
utero  ante  lucife- 
nim  s:enui  to. 


Juravit  Domi- 
nus,  et  non  poenite- 
bit  eum :  *  tu  es  Sa- 
cserdos  in  aeternum, 
secundum  ordinem 
Melchisedech. 

Uominus  a  dex- 
tris cuis :  *  confre- 


thou   on   my  right 
hand; 

Until  I  make 
thy  enemies  the 
foot-stool  of  thy 
feet. 

The  Lord  will 
send  forth  the  scep- 
tre of  thy  power 
out  of  Sion:  Be 
thou  the  ruler  io 
the  midst  of  thy 
enemies. 

With  thee  is  the 
principality  in  the 
day  of  thy  strength, 
in  the  brightness 
of  holy  Ihings^ 
From  the  womo 
before  the  day-star 
I  begot  thee. 

The  Lord  has 
sworn;  and  it  shall 
not  repent  him ; 
thou  art  a  priest 
for  ever,  according 
to  the  order  of  Mel- 
chisedech. 

The  Lord  at  thy 
right     hand,^  hath 


^56 


VESPERS  FOR  SUNDAYS. 


git  in  die  irae  suae 
reges. 

Judicabit  in  na- 
tioaibus ;  iinplebit 
ruinas:  *  conquas- 
sabit  capita  in  terra 
multorum. 


Detorrentein  via 
bibetj  *  propterea 
exaltabit  caput. 


Gloria  Patri,  &c 


broken  kings  in  the 
day  of  his  wrath. 

He  shall  juc'.oe 
amor.g  nations,  he 
shall  fill  ruins  :  he 
shall  crush  the 
httdds  in  the  land 
of  many. 

He  shall  drink  of 
the  torrent  in  the 
way ;  therefore  he 
shall  lift  up  his 
head. 

Glory  be  to  the 
Father,  Stc. 

Psalm  ex. 


CONFITEBOR    tibi, 

Domine,  in  toto 
corde  nieo;  *  in  con- 
silio  justorum  et 
congregatione. 

Magna  opera 
Domini;  *  exqui- 
sita  in  o nines  vo- 
luntates  ejus; 

Confessioetmag- 
niiicentia  opus  ejus; 
•  et    jusiitia    ejus 


I  WILL  praise 
thee,  O  Lord !  with 
my  whole  heart;  in 
the  counsel  of  the 
just,  and  in  the 
congregation. 

The  works  of  the 
Lord  are  great ; 
sought  out  accord- 
ing to  all  his  wills. 

His  work  is 
worthy  of  praise 
and    magnificence: 


VESPERS  FOR  SUNDAYS. 


manet  in  sacculum 
fiseculi. 

Memoriam  fecit 
mirabilium  suoruni 
misericors  et  mise- 
rator  Dominus ; 
*  escam  dedit  ti- 
menlibus  se. 


Memor  erit  in 
soeculum  testamenti 
sui;  *  virtu  tern  ope- 
rum  suorum  an- 
nuntiabit  populo 
suo. 

Ut  det  illis  hajre- 
ditatem  gentium; 
*  opera  manuum 
ejus  Veritas  et  judi- 
cium. 


Fidelia  omnia 
mandata  ejus ;  con- 
firmata  in  socculum 
seeculi ;  *  facta  in 
veritate  et  equitate. 
Rederaptionem 
oaisii  populo  suo  : 


257 

and  his  justice  re- 
main eth  for  ever 
and  ever. 

He  hath  made  a 
remembrance  of  his 
wonderful  works_,  a 
merciful  and  com- 
passionate Lord. 
He  hath  given  food 
to  them  that  fear 
him. 

He  will  be  mind 
ful  for  ever  of  his 
covenant;  he  will 
show  forth  to  his 
people  the  power 
of  his  works. 

That  he  may- 
give  them  the  in- 
heritance of  the 
Gentiles ;  the  works 
of  his  hands  are 
verity  and  judge- 
ment. 

Faithful  are  all 
his  commandments, 
confirmed  for  ever 
and  ever,  made  in 
truth  and  equity. 

He  hath  sent  re- 
demption    to     his 
17 


VESPERS  FOR  SUNDAYS. 


258 

*  mandavit  in  oeter- 
num  testamentum 
suam. 

Sanctum  et  lerri- 
bile  no  men  ejus : 
*mitiura  sapientioe 
timer  Domini. 

Intellectus  bonus 
omnibus  facienlibus 
eum;  *  laudatio 
ejus  manetin  sascu- 
lum  sseculi. 

Gloria  Patri,  &c. 


people ;  he  hath 
commanded  his 
covenant    for  ever. 

Holy  and  terrible 
is  his  name.  The 
fear  of  the  Lord  is 
the  beginning  of 
wisdom. 

A  good  under- 
standing to  all  tha. 
do  it :  his  praise  re 
maineth  for  evei 
and  ever. 

Glory,  &c. 


Psalm  cxi. 


Beattjs  vir  qui 
timet  Dominum, 
*in  mandatis  ejus 
volet  nimis. 


Potens  in  terra 
erit  semen  ejus ; 
*  generatio  recto- 
rum  benedicetur. 

Gloria  et  divitia? 
in  domo  ejus  ;  *  et 
justitia  ejus  manet 
•n  saeculum  soeculi. 


Blessed  is  the 
man  that  feareth 
the  Lord,  he  shall 
delight  exceedingly 
in  his  command- 
ments. 

His  seed  shall  be 
mighty  upon  earth ; 
the  generation  of 
the  righteous  shall 
be  blessed. 

Glory  and  riches 
in  his  house ;  and 
his  justice  abideth 
for  ever  and  ever. 


VESPERS  FOR  SUNDAYS. 


259 


Exortum*  est  in 
tenebris  lumen  rec- 
tis ;  *  misericors,  et 
miserator,  et  Justus. 

Jucundus  homo 
qui  miseretur  et 
commodate  disponet 
sermones  suos  in 
judicio ;  *  quia  in 
EDtemum  non  cora- 
movebitur. 

In  memoiia  SDter- 
na  erit  Justus ;  *  ab 
auditione  malo  non 
timebit. 

Paratum  cor  ejus 
sperarein  Domino; 
confirmatum  est  cor 
ejus  ;  *  non  com- 
movebitur  donee 
despiciat  iniraicos 
suos. 

Dispersit ;  dedit 
pauperibus :  justi- 
tia  ejus  manet  in 
sseculum  sseculi : 
*  cornu  ejus  exal- 
tabitur    in    gloria. 


A  light  is  risen  in 
darkness  to  the 
righteous ;  he  is 
merciful  and  cam- 
passionate  and  just. 

That  man  is  ac- 
ceptable that  show- 
eth  mercy,  and 
lendeth;  he  shall 
dispose  his  words 
in  judgement;  be- 
cause he  shall  not 
be  moved  for  ever. 

The  just  shall  be 
in  eternal  memory ; 
he  shall  not  fear 
from  the  evil  hear- 
ing. 

His  heart  is  ready 
to  hope  in  the 
Lord;  his  heart  is 
strengthened ;  he 
shall  not  be  moved, 
till  he  overtake  his 
enemies. 

He  has  distri- 
buted ;  he  has 
given  to  the  poor: 
his  justice  remain- 
eth  for  ever  and 
ever :      his      horn 


SbO 


VESPERS  FUR  SUNDAYS. 


Peccator  videbit, 
et  irascetur :  denti- 
bus  suis  fremet  ta- 
bescet;  *desiderium 
peccatorum  peribit. 


Gloria  Patri,  &c. 


shall  be  exalted  in 
in  glory. 

The  sinner  shall 
see,  and  shall  be 
angry  j  he  shall 
gnash  with  his 
teeth,  and  pine 
away ;  the  desire 
of  sinners  shall 
perish. 

Glory,  &c. 


Psalm  cxii. 


Laudate,  pueri ! 
Dominum ;  *  lau- 
date nomen  Do- 
mini. 

Sit  nomen  Do- 
mini benedictum, 
*ex  hoc,  nunc,  ut 
usque  in  sa^culum. 

A  solis  ortu  us- 
que ad  occasum, 
*  laudabile  nomen 
Domini. 


Eccelsus  super 
cranes  gentes  Do- 
minus;  *  et  super 
coelos  gloria  ejus. 


Praise  ye  the 
Lord,  O  children  I 
praise  ye  the  name 
of  the  Lord. 

Let  the  name  of 
the  Lord  be  blessed, 
from  henceforth, 
now,  and  for  ever. 

From  the  rising 
of  the  sun,  to  the 
going  down  of  the 
same,  the  name  of 
the  Lord  is  worthy 
of  praise. 

The  Lord  is  high 
above  all  nations : 
and  his  glory  above 
the  heavens. 


VESPER3  FOR  SUNDAYS. 


261 


duis  sicut  Doini- 
nus  Deus  nost^r, 
qui  in  altis  habitat, 
*  et  humilia  respicit 
in  coelo  ei  in  terra  ? 

Suscitans  a  tv^r- 
ra  inopem/'  et  de 
stercore  erigeiis 
pauperem. 

Ut  collocet  eiua 
cum  principibus, 
*  cum  principibus 
populi  sui. 

Q,ui  habitare 
facit  sterilem  iji 
domo,  *  matret  1 
filiomm  lEetanteiii. 

Gloria  Patri,  oc  \ 


Who  is  the  Lord 
our  God,  who 
dwelleth  on  high, 
and  beholdeth  the 
low  things  in  hea- 
ven and  earth  ? 

Raising  up  the 
needy  from  the 
earth,  and  hfting  up 
the  poor  from  the 
dung. 

To  place  him 
with  princes,  with 
the  princes  of  his 
people. 

Who  maketh  the 
barren  worhan  to 
dv.'ell  in  a  house,  a 
joyful  mother  of 
children. 

Glory  be  to  the 
Father,  &c. 


Pmlm  cxiii. 


In  exitu  Israel  i.!e 
^gypto,  *  donuiN 
[acob  de  popuio 
iarbaro : 

Facta  est  Judaia 


When         Israel 

came  out  of  Egypt, 
the  house  of  Jacob, 
from  among  a  bar- 
barous people  : 
Judea  was  made 


262 


VESPERS    FOR  SUNDAYS. 


sanctificatio      ejus, 

*  Israel  potestas 
qus. 

Mare  vidit,  et 
fugit;  *  Jordan  is 
conversus  est  re- 
trorsum. 

Montes  exultave- 
runt  ut  arieles  :  *  et 
coUes  sicut  agni 
ovium. 

Q,uid  est  tibi, 
mare,  quod  fugisti? 

*  et  tu,  Jordanis, 
quia  conversus  est 
retrorsum  ? 

Montes  exultas- 
tis  sicut  arietes,  *  et 
colles  sicut  agni 
ovium  ? 

A  facie  Domini 
mota  est  terra —  *  a 
facie  Dei  Jacob : 


Q,ui  convertit  pe- 
tram  in  stagna  aqua- 
rum,  *  et  rupem  in 


his    sanctuary,   Is- 
rael his  dominion. 

The  sea  saw,  and 
fled  away :  Jordan 
was  turned  back- 
ward. 

The  mountains 
skipped  like  rams, 
and  the  hills  like 
the  lambs  of  the 
flock. 

What  aileth  thee, 
O  thou  sea!  thai 
thou  didst  flee?  and 
thou, O  Jordan!  that 
thou  turnedst  back- 
ward? 

Ye  mountains ! 
that  ye  skipped  like 
rams?  and,  ye  little 
hills!  like  the  lambs 
of  tl.e  flock  ? 

The  earth  was 
moved  at  the  pre- 
sence of  the  Lord 
— at  the  presence  of 
the  God  of  Jacob ; 

Who  turned  the 
rock  into  pools  of 
waters,     and     tha 


VESPERS  FOR  SUNDAYS. 


263 


fontes  aqua  rum. 

Non  nobis.  Do- 
mine,  non  nobis ; 
*  sed  noraini  tuo  da 
gloriam. 

Super  misericor- 
dia  tua,  et  veritate 
tua;  *  ne  quando 
dicant  gentes  ;  ubi 
est  Deus  eorum? 

Deus  autem  nos- 
ter  in  coelo  ;  *  om- 
nia, qufficumque 
voluit,  fecit. 

Simulachra  gen- 
tium argentLim,  et 
aurura,  *  opera  ma- 
nuum  hominum. 

Os  habent,  et  non 
loquenlur ;  *  oculos 
habent,  et  non  vi- 
debunt. 

Aures  habent,  et 
non  audient;  *  na- 
res  habent,  et  non 
odorabunt. 

Man  us  habent,  et 
non  palpabunt ;  pe- 
des habent.  et  non 


stony  hills  nito  foun- 
tains of  wateis. 

Not  to  us,  O 
Lord!  not  to  us;  but 
to  thy  name  give 
glory. 

For  thy  mercy 
and  for  thy  truth, 
lest  at  any  time  the 
Gentiles  say,  where 
is  their  God  ? 

But  our  God  is  in 
heaven  -,  he  hath 
done  all  things 
whatsoever  he 

would. 

The  idols  of  the 
Gentiles  are  silver 
and  gold,  the  v/orks 
of  the  hands  of  men. 

They  have 

mouths,  and  speak 
not;  they  have  eyes, 
and  see  not. 

They  have  ears, 
and  hear  not;  they 
have  noses,  and 
smell  not. 

They  have  hands, 
and  feel  not ;  they 
have  feet,  and  shall 


2G4 


VESPERS  FOR  SUNDAFS. 


anibulabunt :  *  non 
clamabunt  in  gut- 
lure  suo. 

Similes  illis  fiant, 
qui  faciunt  ea,  *"  et 
omnes  qui  confi- 
dant in  eis. 

Dornus  Israel 
speravit  in  Domi- 
no; *  adjutor  eo- 
rum  et  protector  eo- 
rum  est. 

Domus  Aaron 
speravit  in  Domi- 
no ;  *  adjutor  eo- 
rumet  protector  eo- 
rura  est. 

Q,ai  timent  Do- 
minum,  sperave- 
runt  in  Domino ; 
*  adjutor  eoruni  et 
protector  eorum  est. 

Do  minus  memor 
fait  nostri ;  *  et 
benedixit  nobis. 


not  walk;  neither 
shall  they  cry  out 
through  theii 

throats. 

Let  those  that 
make  them,  become 
like  to  them,  and  all 
such  as  put  theii 
trust  in  them. 

The  house  of  Is- 
rael hath  hoped  in 
the  Lord ;  he  is  theii 
helper  and  their 
protector. 

The  house  of 
Aaron  hath  hoped 
in  the  Lord ;  he  is 
their  helper  and 
their  protector. 

They  that  fear 
the  Lord,  have 
hoped  in  the  Lord ; 
he  is  their  helper 
and  their  protector. 

The  Lord  hath 
been  mindful  of  us, 
and     hath    blcsed 


Benedixit  domui 
Israel ;  *  benedixit 
domui  Aaron. 


He  hath  blessed 
the  house  of  Israel ; 
he  hath  blessed  the 
house  oi  Aaron. 


VESPERS  FOR  SUNDAYS. 


265 


Benedixit  omni- 
bus qui  timent  Do- 
rninum;  *  pusillis 
cum  majoribus. 

x\djiciat  Domi- 
nus     super    vos — 

*  super  vos  el  super 
filios  vestros. 

Benedicti  vos  a 
Domino,  *  que  fecit 
aoslum  et  terram. 

Coelum  coeli  Do- 
nxino  j  *  terram  au- 
tem,  dedit  filiis  lio- 
minum. 

Non  mortui  lau- 
dabunt  te,  Domine; 

*  neque  omnes  qui 
descendant  in  in- 
fernum. 

Sed  nos  qui  vivi- 
raus  benedicimus 
Domino,  *  ex  hoc, 
nunc,  et  usque  in 
saeculum. 

Gloria  Patri,  Sic. 


He  halh  blessed 
all  that  tear  the 
Lord ;  both  little 
and  great. 

May  the  Lord 
add  blessings  upon 
you;  upon  you  and 
upon  your  children. 

You  are  blessed 
of  the  Lord,  who 
made  heaven  and 
earth. 

The  heaven  of 
heaven  to  the  Lord; 
but  the  earth  he 
hath  given  to  the 
children  of  men. 

The  dead  shall 
not  praise  thee,  O 
Lord!  nor  all  they 
that  go  down  to 
hell. 

But  we  that  live, 
do  bless  the  Lord, 
from  this  time,  now 
and  for  ever. 

Glory,  &c. 


266 


VESPERS  FOR  SUNDAYS. 


Tlie  follow  mg  Psalm  is  to  he  sung  on  mih- 
dry  Festivals,  in  place  of  the  foregoing. 

Psalm  cxvi. 


Laudate  Domi- 
num,  omnes  gen- 
tes  ;  *  laudate  eum, 
omnes  populi. 

Q,uoniam  confir- 
mata  est  super  nos 
misericordia  ejus ; 
*  et  Veritas  Domini 
manet  in  seternum. 

Gloria  Patri,  &c. 
Capitulum,  2  Cor.  i. 

Benedictus  De- 
US  et  Pater  Domini 
nostri  Jesu  Christi, 
Pater  misericordia- 
rum,  et  Deus  tolius 
consolationis,  qui 
consolatur  nos  in 
omni  tribulatione 
nostra. 

R.  Deo  ffratias. 


O !  praise  the 
Lord,  all  ye  nar 
tions;  praise  him, 
all  ye  people. 

For  his  mercy  is 
confirmed  upon  us ; 
and  the  truth  of  th.e 
Lord  remaineth  for 
ever. 

Glorv,  &c. 
Little  Chap.2 Cot. L 

Blessed  be  God 
and  the  Father  of 
our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  the  Father 
of  mercies,  and  the 
God  of  all  comfort, 
who  comforts  us  in 
all  our  tribulations. 

R.  Thanks  be  to 
God. 


Lucis 
optime. 


THE  HVMN. 

Creator        O  great  Creatoi 
of  the  lia:ht! 


VESPERS  FOR  SUNDAYS. 


Liicem      dierum 
prol'erens. 


Primordiis 
novae. 


luc.is 


parans 


Mundi 
oii^^inem, 

Q,ui  mane  junc- 
tum  vesperi. 

Diem  vocari  pras- 
cipis^ 


Illabitur 
ehaos. 


tetrum 


Audi  pieces  cum 
fletibus^ 

Ne  mens  gravata 
criraine, 

VitGB  sit  exul  mu- 
ll'.- re ; 

Dum  nil  perenne 
0  igitat 


Seseque 
Liigat; 


culpis 


267 

Who  from  the 
darksome  womb  of 
night, 

Broughl'st  forth 
new  hght  at  na- 
ture's birth. 

To  shine  upon 
the  face  of  earth. 

Who  by  the 
morn  and  evening 
ray. 

Hast  measured 
time,  and  call'd  it 
day; 

Vouchsafe  to 
hear  our  prayers 
and  tears. 

Whilst  sable 
night  involves  the 
spheres. 

Lest  our  frail 
mind  with  sin  de- 
filed. 

From  gift  of  life 
should  be  exiled. 

Whilst  on  no 
heavenly  thing  she 
thinks. 

But  twines  her- 
self in  Satan's  links. 


268 

Cceleste 
ostium ; 


VESPERS  FOR  SUNDAYS. 


pulset 


Vitale  tollat  proe- 
mium; 

Vitemus  orane 
noxium ; 

Purgemus  omne 
pessimum. 


Praesta, 
piissirae. 


Pater 


Patrique  compar 
unice. 

Cum  Spiritu  Pa- 
raclito, 

Regnans  per 
omne  saeculum. 
Amen. 

V.  Dirigatur,  Do- 
mine  !  oratio  mea, 

R.  Sicut  incen- 
Rum  in  conspectu 
tuo. 


O !       may      she  * 
soar      to      iieaven 
above. 

The  happy  seal 
of  life  and  love ; 

Meantime  all  sin 
ful  actions  shun. 

And  purge  the 
foul  ones,  she  hath 
done. 

This  prayer,  most 
gracious  Father, 
hear. 

Thy  equal  Son 
incline  his  ear ; 

Who  with  the 
Holy  Ghost  and 
thee. 

Doth  Jive  and 
reign  eternally. 

Amen. 

V.  May  my 
prayer,  O  Lord ! 
be  directed, 

R.  As  incense  in 
thy  sight. 


TJie  Magnificat,  or  the  Canticle  of  the 
Blessed  Virii;m.     St.  Luke,  i. 

Magnificat*  ani-         My     soul     dotb 


VESPERS  FOR  SUNDAYS. 


2G9 


/na      mea 
num: 

Et  exultavit  spi- 
ritus  me  us  *m  Deo 
Salutari  meo. 

Q,uia  lespexit 
humilitatem  ancillae 
suae,  *  ecce  enim 
ex  hoc,  beatam  me 
dicent  omnes  ge- 
neradones. 

Q,uia  fecit  mihi 
magna  qui  potens 
^t,  *  et  sanctum 
nomen  ejus. 

Et  misericordia 
ejus  a  progenie  in 
progenies,  *  timen- 
tibus  eum. 

Fecit  potentiara 
in  brachio  suo,  * 
dispersit  superbos 
mente  cordis  sui. 


Deposuit,  poten- 
les  de  sede ;  *  et 
exaltavit  iiu  miles. 


Domi-    magnify  the  Lord 


And  my  spirit 
hath  rejoiced  in 
God,  my  Saviour. 

Because  he  halh 
regarded  the  hu- 
mihiy  of  his  hand- 
maid :  for  behold! 
from  henceforth  all 
generations  shall 
call  me  blessed. 

Because  he  that 
is  mighty  hath  done 
great  things  to  me  ; 
and  holy  is  his 
name. 

And  his  mercy 
is  from  generation 
to  generations,  to 
them  that  fear  him. 

He  hath  showed 
power  in  his  arm  ; 
he  hath  scattered 
the  proud  in  the 
conceit  of  their 
heart. 

He  hath  deposed 
the  mighty  from 
their  seat  j  and  hath 
exalted  ihe^humble. 


270 


VKSPERS  FOR  SUNDAYS, 


Esurientes  im- 
plevit  bonis ;  *  et 
diviles  dimisit 

inanes. 


Israel 

# 


Suscepit 
puerurn    suum^ 
recordalus    miseri- 
cordise  sure. 

Sicut  locutus  est 
ad  patres  nostros — 
*  Abraham  et  se- 
mini  ejus  in  sascula. 

Gloria  Patri,  &c. 


The  hungry  bj 
hath  filled  with 
good  things ;  and 
the  rich  he  hath 
sent  empty  away. 

He  hath  received 
Israel  his  child ; 
being  mindful  of  his 
mercy. 

As  he  spoke  unto 
our  fathers ;  to 

Abraham  and  his 
seed  for  ever. 

Glory,  &c. 


Tlie  prayer  is  the  collect  of  the  day; 
which  is  different  evei-y  Sunday.  You  may 
my  this  that  follows : 

Let  us  pray. 

Look  down,  we  beseech  thee,  O  Lord  ! 
upon  this  thy  family,  for  which  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  did  not  hesitate  to  be  de- 
livered into  the  hands  of  sinners,  and  to 
undergo  the  torment  of  the  cross.  Who 
liveth  and  reigneth  with  thee,  in  the 
unity  of  the  Holy  Ghost^  God,  world 
without  end.  Jlmen. 


VESPERS  FOR  SUNDAYS. 


271 


.5  Commemoration  of  the  Blessed  Virgin 
Mai-y. 

ANTHEM. 

O  HOLY  Mary !  succour  the  miserable, 
help  the  faint-hearted,  comfort  the  afflict- 
ed ;  pray  for  the  people ;  intercede  for 
the  clergy;  make  supplication  for  the 
devout  female  sex  :  let  all  experience  thy 
help,  who  celebrate  thy  holy  commemo- 
ration. 

F.  Pray  for  us,  O  holy  Mother  of  God! 

R.  That  we  may  be  made  worthy  of 
the  promises  of  Christ. 

Let  lis  praij. 
Grant,  we  beseech  thee,  O  Lord  God! 
»hat  we,  thy  servants,  may  enjoy  perpe- 
tual health  of  mind  and  body :  and  that 
by  the  glorious  intercession  of  blessed 
Mary,  ever  Virgin,  we  may  be  delivered 
from  present  sorrows,  and  come  to  eternal 
joys,  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

A   Commemoration  of  the  Holy  Apostles 
Peter  and  Paul. 

ANTHEM. 

The  apostle  Peter,  and  Paul,  the  doctor 
of  the  Gentiles,  were  they  that  taught  us 
thy  law,  O  Lord ! 

F.  Thou  shalt  estabhsh  them  rulers 
over  the  whole  earth. 


272  VESPERS  FOR  SUNDAYS. 

R.  They  shall  be  mindful  of  thy  name, 
O  Lord ! 

Let  us  pray. 
*  O  God  !  whose  right  hand  raised  np 
St.  Peter  walking  on  the  waters,  that  he 
might  not  be  drowned ;  and  delivered  1.13 
fellow  apostle,  Paul,  from  the  depth  of 
the  sea,  when  he  was  thrice  shipwrecked : 
mercifully  hear  us,  and  grant  that  by  the 
merhs  of  them  both,  we  may  obtain  the 
glory  of  eternity. 

For  Peace. 


Give  peace,  O  Lord!   in  our  days  . 

For  there  is  no  other  to  fight  for  us  bu* 

thou,  our  God. 

V.  Let  peace  be  made  in  thy  strength 
R.  And  plenty  in  thy  towers. 

Let  lis  pray. 

O  God!  from  whom  proceedeth  holy 
desires,  right  counsels  and  just  works- 
Give  to  us,  thy  servants,  that  peace  whicb 
the  world  caiinot  give;  that  our  hearti 
may  be  addicted  to  thy  commandments 
and  the  fear  of  enemies  being  taken  away, 
the  times  may  be  quiet  by  thy  protection. 
Through  our  Lord  Jesus,  &c.  Amen. 

F.  The  Lord  be  with  you. 


VESPERS  FOR  SUNDAYS. 


273 


R.  And  with  thy  spirit. 

y.  Lee  us  bless  the  Lord. 

R.  Thanks  be  to  God. 

F".  May  the  souls  of  the  faithful,  througk 
the  mercy  of  God,  rest  in  peace. 

R.  Amen.     Oar  Father,  &c. 

When  Complin  is  not  said  immediately 
after  Vespers,  after  the  verse  Fidelium 
animae,  Slc.  May  the  souls,  &-c.,  and 
Our  Father,  is  said. 


V.  Dominus  det 
nobis  suam  pacem, 

R.  Et  vitam  aster- 
nam.  Amen. 


V.  Our  Lord 
grant  us  his  peace. 

R.  And  lite  ever- 
lasting. Amen. 


Tlien  is  said  one  of  the  following  An- 
thems according  to  the  time. 

The  Anthem  from  the  first  Sunday  of 
Advent  to  the  Purification,  inclusively. 


Alma  Redemp- 
toris  mater,  quae 
pervia  coeli. 

Porta  maes,  et 
siella  maris,  suc- 
curre  cadenti, 

Surgere  qui  curat 
populo;  tu  quas 
genuisti, 

Natura    mirante. 


Mother  of  Je- 
sus, Heaven's  opea 
gate. 

Star  of  the  sea, 
support  the  fallen 
state 

Of  mortals  ;  thou 
whose  womb  thy 
Maker  bore. 

And  yet.  strange 
18      . 


274 


VESPERS  FOR  SUNDAYS. 


tuum  sanctum  ge- 
nitorera, 

Virgo  prius  ac 
posterius ;  Gabrielis 
ab  ore, 

Sumens  illud 
Ave,  peccatorum 
miserere. 


thing,  a  virgin  as 
before ; 

Who  didst  from 
Gabriel's  liail,  this 
news  receive. 

Repenting  srn- 
ners  by  thy  prayert 
relieve. 


In  Advent. 


V.  Angelus  Do- 
mini nuntiavit 
Marise. 


R.  Etconcepitde 
Spiritu  Sancto. 

Oremiis. 

Gratiam  tuara, 
quoesumus,  Do- 
raine,  mentibus 
nostris  infunde ;  ut 
qui,  angelo  nunti- 
ale,  Christi  Filii  tui 
jncariiationem  cog- 
novimus,  per  pas- 
sioneui  ejus  et  cru- 
cem,  ad  resurrec- 
tion is  gloriam 
perducamur.       Per 


V.  The  angel  of 
the  Lord  declared 
his  message  to 
Mary, 

R.  And  she  con- 
ceived by  the  Holy 
Ghost. 

Let  us  pray. 

Pour  thy  grace 
into  our  souls,  O 
Lord!  we  beseech 
thee ;  that  we,  who, 
by  the  angel's  mes- 
sage, came  to  the 
knowledge  of  the 
incarnation  of 

Christ  thy  Son, 
may,  by  his  cross 
and  passion,  be 
brought  to  the  glory 


VESPERS  FOR  SUNDAYS. 


275 


eundem    Christum 
Dominum  nostrum. 


R.  Amen. 


of         resurrection. 
Through  the  same 
Christ  our  Lord. 
R.  Amen. 


After  Advent. 


V.  Post  partum 
virgo  inviolata  per 
mansisti. 

JR.  Dei  genitrix, 
intercede  pro  nobis. 

Oremxis. 

Deus,  qui  salutis 
EEternae,  beatce,  Ma- 
riae  virginitate  fos- 
cunda,  humano 
generi  prsemia  prce- 
stitisti;  Iribue,  quce- 
sumus,  ut  ipsam 
pro  nobis  interce- 
dere  sentiamus,  per 
quam  meruimus 
Auctorem  vitse  sus- 
cipere  Dominum 
Dostrum  Jesum 
Christum^  filium 
tuum. 

R.  Amen. 


V.  After  child- 
birth, thou  dids*. 
remain  an  inviolate 
virgin. 

R.  Mother  of 
God!  make  inter- 
cession for  us. 

het  us  pray. 

O  God  !  who,  by 
the  fruitful  virginity 
of  the  blessed  Vir- 
gin Mary,  hast 
given  to  mankind 
the  rewards  of 
eternal  salvation; 
grant,  we  beseech 
thee,  that  we  may 
be  sensible  of  the 
benefits  of  her  in- 
tercession, by 
whom  we  have  re- 
ceived the  Author 
of  life,  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  thy 
Son.    JR.  Amen. 


276 


VESPLRS  FOK  SUNDAYS. 


From  the  Purification  till  Easter. 


Ave,  Regina 
ccelorum! 

Ave,  Domina 
angelorum ! 

Salve,  radix ! 
salve,  porta! 

Ex  qua  mundo 
lux  est  orta. 

Gaude,  virgo  glo- 
riosa ! 

Super  omnes 
speciosa ! 

Vale,  o  valde  de- 
cora ! 

Et  pro  nobis 
Christum  exora. 

V.  Dignare  me 
laudare,  te,  virgo 
sac rata ! 

R.  Da  mihi  vir- 
tu tem  contra  hosies 
tuos. 


Hail,  Mary, 

queen  of  heavenly 
spheres ! 

Hail,  whom  the 
angelic  host  re- 
veres ! 

Hail,  fruitful 
root !  hail,  sacred 
gate ! 

Whence  the 

world's  light  de- 
rives its  date. 

O  glorious  maid, 
with  beauty  bless'd ! 

May  joys  eternal 
fill  thy  breast  -, 

Thus  crown 'd 
Avilh  beauty  and 
with  joy. 

Thy  pray'rs  with 
Christ  for  us  em- 
ploy. 

y.  Vouchsafe,  0 
sacred  Virgin !  to 
accept  my  praises. 

R.  Give  me 
power  against  ihy 
enemies. 


VESPEl^S  FOR  SITNDAYS. 


277 


Oremus. 

Concede,  mise- 
ricors  Deus !  fra- 
gilitali  nostrae  prce- 
sidium ;  ut  qui 
sanctse  Dei  genitri- 
cis  memoriam  agi- 
tnus,  intercessionis 
ejus  auxilio,  a  nos- 
tris  iniquitatibus 
resurgamus.  Per 
eundem  Christum 
Dominum  nostrum. 

R.  Amen. 


Let  us  pray. 

Grant     us,     O 
merciful  God ! 

strength  against  all 
our  weakness ;  that 
we,  who  celebrate 
the  memory  of  the 
holy  mother  of 
God,  may,  by  tlie 
help  of  her  inter 
cession,  rise  again 
from  our  iniquities. 
Through  the  same 
Christ  our  Lord. 

R.  Jimen. 


From  Easter  to  Trinity  Eve. 


Re  GIN  A  cceK  ! 
lEetare,  Alleluia; 

Q.uia  quem  me- 
ruisti  portare.  Alle- 
luia; 

Resurrexit,  sicut 
dixit,  Allelulia! 

Ora  pro  nobis 
Deum,  Alleluia. 

V.  Gaude  et  lae- 
txn?,  Virgo  Maria.' 
Alleluia. 


O  queen  of  hea- 
ven !  rejoice.  Alle- 
luia; 

'For  he  whom 
thou  didst  deserve 
to  bear.  Alleluia ; 

Is  risen  again, 
as  he  said.  Alleluia. 

Pray  for  us  to 
God,  Alleluia. 

V.  Rejoice  and 
be  glad,  O  Virgin 
Mary!  Alleluia. 


27S 


VESPERS  FOR  SUNDAYS. 


R.  duia  surrexit 
Dominus  vere.  Al- 
leluia. 

Oremiis. 
Deus  !    qui    per 

resurrectionem  Filii 
tui  Domini  nostri 
Jesu  Christi,  mun- 
dum  lastificare  dig- 
natus  es,  prtesta 
quaesumus,  ut  per 
egus  genitricera  vir- 
ginem  Mariam,  per- 
petuse  capiamus 
gaudia  vitce.  Per 
eundem  Christum 
Dominum  nostrum. 

jR.  Amen. 


R.  Because  our 
Lord  is  truly  risen. 
Alleluia. 

Let  us  prmj. 

O  God  !  who,  by 
the  resurrection  oi 
thy  Son,  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  hast 
been  pleased  to  fill 
the  world  with  joy  ; 
grant,  we  beseech 
thee,  that  by  tiie 
Virgin  Mary,  his 
Mother,  we  may 
receive  the  joys  of 
eternal  life.  Thro* 
the  same  Christ 
our  Lord. 

R.  Amen. 


From  Trinity  Sunday  to  Advent. 


Salve,  Regina, 
mater  misericor- 
diae !  vita,  dulcedo, 
et  spes  nostra, 
salve ! 

Ad  te  clamamas, 
exules  filii  Evsg. 
Ad  te  suspiramus, 
gementes  et  llentes. 


Hail,  O  queen, 
O  Mother  of 
mercy !  hail,  our 
life,  our  comfort, 
and  our  hope ! 

We.,  the  banished 
children  of  Eve, 
cry  out  unto  thee. 
To  thee,  we  send 


VESPERS  FOR  SUNDAYS. 


279 


m  hac  lacrymarum 
valle. 


Eiaergoadvocata 
nostra !  illos  tuos 
misericordes  oculos 
kid  nos  converte. 

Et  Jesum ;  bene- 
dictum  fructum 
ventris  tui,  nobis 
post  hoc  exilium 
ostende : 

O    clemens!      O 


pia 


O       dulcis 


Virgo  Maria ! 

V.  Ora  pro  nobis, 
Sancta  Dei  Geni- 
trix! 

R.  Ut  digni  effi- 
ciamur  promis- 
sionibus  Christi. 


up  our  sighs, 
groaning,  and 

weeping,  in  this 
vale  of  tears.       * 

Come,  then,  our 
advocate !  and  look 
upon  us  with  those 
thy  pitying  eyes! 

And  after  this 
our  banishment, 
show  us  Jesus,  the 
blessed  fruit  of  thy 
womb; 

O  merciful !  O 
pious !  O  sweet 
Virgin  Mary  ! 

V.  Pray  for  us, 
O  holy  mother  of 
God! 

R.  That  we  may 
be  made  worthy  of 
the  promises  of 
Christ. 


Or  emus. 

Omnipotens  sera- 
piterne  Deus!  qui 
gloriosaj  Virginis 
Matris  Marise  cor- 
pus et  animam,  ut 


Let  us  pray. 

Almighty  and 
eternal  God  !  who, 
by  the  co-operatiort 
of  the  Holy  Ghost, 
didst    prepare    the 


280 


THE  BENEDICTION. 


dignum  Filii  tui 
habitaculum  effici 
mereretur,  Spiritu 
Saftcto  cooperante, 
praeparasti;  da,  ut 
cujus  commemora- 
tione  lastamur,  ejus 
pia  intercessione  ab 
instantibus  malis, 
et  morte  perpetua 
liberemur.  Per 

eundum  Christum 
Dominum  nostrum. 


R.  Jlmen. 

V.  Divinum 

auxilium  maneat 
semper  'aobiscum. 


R.  ^rAen. 


body  and  soul  of 
the  glorious  Virgin 
Mother,  Mary,  thai 
she  might  become 
a  worthy  habitation 
for  thy  Son  ;  grant 
that,  as  with  joy 
we  celebrate  hei 
memory,  so,  by  her 
pious  intercession, 
we  may  be  deli- 
vered from  present 
evils  and  eternal 
death.  Through 
the  same  Christ 
our  Lord. 

R.  Amen. 

V.  May  the  di- 
vine assistance  al- 
ways remain  with 
us. 

R,  Amen. 


THE  BENEDICTION  OF  THE  BLESSED  SACRA- 
MENT. 

What  we  call  the  Benediction,  is  a  de- 
votion practised  by  the  Church,  in  order  to 
give  adoration,  praise,  and  blessing,  or 
Benediction,  to  God  ;  for  his  infinUe  good^ 
ness  and  love,  testified  to  us  in  tlie  institii- 


THE  BENEDICTION.  281 

tion  of  the  blessed  sacrament,  and  to  receive, 
at  the  same  time,  the  Benediction  or  Bless- 
ing of  our  Lord,  there  present. 

JVhen  the  blessed  sacrament  is  taken  out 
of  the  tabernacle,  and  set  up  to  be  seen  by 
the  people,  the  choir  sinii;s,  O  salutaris  hos- 
tia,  Sfc,  i.e.,  O  saving  victim!  which 
openest  the  gates  of  heaven ;  io !  the  wars 
of  our  enemies  press  upon  us  :  do  thou 
give  us  strength  and  aid.  To  the  great 
Lord,  who  is  three  in  one,  be  everlasting 
glory.  O  !  may  he  grant  us  life  without 
end,  in  our  heavenly  country. 

After  this,  is  usually  simg  some  psalm, 
or  pious  metre,  according  to  the  order  of 
superiors,  or  discretion  of  the  officiant,  or 
exigence  of  the  times.  Tlicn  follows  the. 
hymn  of  the  blessed  sacrament,  Pange, 
lingua,  or  at  least  the  latter  part  of  it, 
Tantum  ergo. 

THE  HYMN,  PANGE,  LINGUA. 


Pange,     lingua! 

Sing      0       my 

gloriosi. 

tongue!  adore  and 

praise. 

Corporis    myste- 

The      depth     of 

rium. 

God's     mysterious 

Sanguinisque  pre- 
tiosi. 

ways : 

How  Christ,  the 
world-s  great  king, 
bestpw'd 

282 

Q,uem  in  mundi 
pretium. 

Fruclis  ventris 
generosi. 

Rex  effudit  gen- 
tium. 

Nobis  datus,  no- 
bis natus. 

Ex  intacta  vir- 
gine. 

Et  in  mundo  con- 
versatus, 

Sparso  verbi,  se- 
mme ; 

Sui  moras  inco- 
latus, 

Miro  clausit  or- 
dine. 

In  supremse  nocte 
casnse, 

Recumbens  cum 
fratribus. 


THE  BENEDICTION. 


His    flesh    con 
ceaPd     in    human 
food. 

And  left  man- 
kind the  blood  that 
paid 

The  ransom  for 
the  souls  he  made. 

Giv'n  from 

above,  and  born  for 
man. 

From  virgin's 
womb  his  life"  be- 
gan : 

Heliv'donearth, 
and  preach'd  to 
sow 

The  spods  of 
heav'nly  truth  be- 
low ; 

Then  seal'd  his 
mission  from  above. 

With  strange 
effects  of  pow'r  and 
love. 

'Twas  on  that 
evening  when  the 
last. 

And  most  mys- 
terious supper  past ; 


THE  BENEDICTION. 


Observata  lege 
plene, 

Cibis  in  legalibus, 

Cibum  turbee 
duodenae, 

Se  dat  suis  ma- 
lubus. 

Verbum  caro,  pa- 
nem  verum: 

Verbum  carnem 
efRcit: 

Fitque  sanguis 
Christi  merum, 

Et  si  sensus  de- 
ficit ; 

Ad  firmandum 
cor  sincerum 

Sola  fides  sufficit. 


Tantwn  ergo  Sa- 
cramentum 

Veneremur,  cer- 
nui: 


2«3 

When  Christ 
with  his  disciples 
sat, 

To  close  the  law 
with  legal  meat ; 

Then  to  the 
twelve  himself  be 
stow'd. 

With  his  own 
hands  to  be  their 
food. 

The  Word's 

made  flesh  for  love 
of  man; 

His  word  turns 
bread  to  flesh  again, 

And  wine  10 
blood,  unseen  by 
sense, 

Bv  virtue  of  om- 
nipotence. 

And  here  the 
faithful  rest  secure. 

Whilst  God  can 
vouch,  and  fahh 
insure. 

To  this  myste- 
rious table  now 

Our  knees,  our 
hearts,  and  sense, 
we  bow. 


284 


THE  BENEDICTION. 


Et  antiquum  do- 
cumentum 

Novo  cedat  ritui, 

Prsestet  fides  sup- 
ple raentum, 

Sensuum  defec- 
tui. 

Genitori,  Genito- 
que, 

Laus  et  jubilatio, 

Salus,        honor, 
virtus,  quoque 
Sit  et  benedictio ; 


Procedenti  ab 
utroque 

Compar  sit  lau- 
datio.     Amen. 

P.  Panem  de 
caelo  praeslitisti  eis. 
Alleluia ; 

R.  Omne  delec- 
tamentum  in  se  ha- 
bentem.  Alleluia. 

y.  Ora  pro  nobis. 


Let  ancient  rites 
resign  their  place 

To  nobler  ele- 
ments of  grace. 

And  faith  for  all 
defects  supply. 

While  sense  '9 
lost  in  mystery. 

To  God  the  Fa- 
ther, born  of  none. 

To  Christ,  his  co- 
eternal  Son, 

And  Holy  Ghost, 
whose  equal  rays 

From  both  pro- 
ceed, one  equal 
praise ; 

One  honour,  ju- 
bilee, and  fame. 

For  ever  bless 
his  glorious  name. 
Amen. 

V.  Thou  hast 
given  them  bread 
from  heaven.  Al- 
leluia. 

R.  ReplenishM 
with  all  sweetness 
and  delight.  Alle- 
luia. 

V.  Pray  for  us. 


THE  BENEDICTION.  285 

sancti  Dei  genitrix !     O  holy   Mother  of 

God! 
R.  Ut  digni  effi-        R.  That  we  may 
ciamur      promissi-     be  made  worthy  of 
oaibiis  Christi.  the     promises     of 

Christ. 

Let  us  pray. 

O  God  !  who  hast  left  us,  in  this  won- 
derful sacrament,  a  perpetual  memorial 
of  thy  passion :  Grant  us,  we  beseech 
thee,  so  to  reverence  the  sacred  mysteries 
of  thy  body  and  blood,  that  we  may  con- 
tinually find  in  our  souls  the  fruit  of  thy 
redemption,  who  livest  and  reignest.  Sec, 

Defend,  we  beseech  thee,  O  Lord!  by 
the  intercession  of  blessed  Mary,  ever 
virgin,  this  thy  family  from  all  adversity: 
and  being  prostrate  before  thee,  with  oar 
whole  hearts,  protect  us  in  thy  mercy 
from  the  snares  of  our  enemies ;  through 
Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 

Wheji  the  pnest  gives  the  benediction 
ruith  the  blessed  sacrament,  bow  down,  and 
profoundly  adore  your  Saviour  there  pre- 
sent. Give  him  thanks  for  allhis  mercies; 
offer  your  wlvole  self  to  him,  to  be  liis  for 
ever;  and  earnestly  beg  his  blessing  upon 
you  and  yours,  and  upon  his  whole  churdi. 
Or  you  may  say  thus : 


286  THE  BENEDICTION". 

Adore  te  devote,  8^c. 

I    DEVOUTLY    adore    thee,   O    hidden 

Deity  ! 
Which  Hest  concealed  indeed  under  these 

forms ; 
To  thee  my  whole  heart  subjects  itself. 
Because  it  finds  itself  quite  lost  in  coil- 

templaiing  thee. 
The  sight,  the  feeling,  and  the  taste, 

are  here  deceived. 
But  the  hearing  alone  may  be  safely  be- 
lieved; 
I  believe  whatever  the  Son  of  God  has 

spoke :  - 

Nothing  can  be  more  true  than  the  word 

of  truth. 
Upon  the  cross  the  Divinity  alone  was 

conceal'd ; 
But  here  the  humanity  also  lies  hid. 
Yet  I  believe  and  confess  both  one  and  the 

other. 
And  make  the  same  pethion  as  did  the 

penitent  thief. 
I  don't  here  see  the  wounds,  as  Thomas 

did :  yet  I  confess  thee  to  be  my  God ! 
O !  grant  that  I  may  ever  believe  in  thee 

more  and  more. 
And  evermore  put  my  trust  in  thee,  and 

love  thee. 


THE  BENEDICTION.  2S7 

O  blessed  memorial  of  the  death  of  our 
Lord! 
O  living  bread !  giving  Hfe  to  man. 
Grant  that  my  soul  may  ever  live  on  thee: 
Grant  that  I  may  ever  relish  thy  sweet- 
ness. 
O  pious  pelican  !  Jesus  our  Lord  ! 
Cleanse  me,  an  unclean  sinner,  with  thy 

blood ; 
One  drop  of  which  is  sufficient  to  save 
The  whole  world  from  all  its  guilt. 
O  Jesus !  whom  I  now  see  under  a 
veil, 
O !  when  will  that  hour  come,  w^hich  I  so 

much  long  for ! 
When  the  veil  being  removed,  I  shall  see 

thy  face. 
And  be  happy  for  ever  in  the  contem- 
plation of  thy  Glory.  Amen. 

Tlie  following  are  sometimes  sung  at  the 
Benediction  of  the  blessed  Sacrament. 

Chor.  Adoremus  in  seternum, 
Sanctissimum  Sacramentura, 
Solo — Laudate  Dominum. 

Tlie  same,  in  English. 

Prostrate  in  trembling  awe,  let's  all  adore 
This  Holy  Sacrament  for  evermore. 


288  THE  BENEDICTION. 


O  saving  victim !  pledge  of  love ! 
Who  open^st  the  heavenly  gales  abovtS, 
By  hostile  wars  we  are  oppress'd. 
Be  thou  our  force,  support,  and  rest. 
To  God  the  Father,  and  the  Son, 
And  Holy  Spirit,  three  in  one ; 
Be  endless  praise,  may  he  above. 
With  hfe  immortal,  crown  our  love, 


(289) 
CATHOLIC  HBmS,  &c. 

FOR  ADVENT. 

I. 

The  period's  come,  and,  lo,  to-day 
The  Son  of  God  begins  his  way, 
To  rescue,  by  a  wondrous  birth. 
The  world  enslaved  to  sin  and  earth. 

Our  minds,  O  God,  with  light  inspire, 
And  warm  our  hearts  with  heav'nly  fire; 
Till,  flaming  with  seraphic  love, 
We  rehsh  only  things  above. 

That  on  the  great  accounting  day, 
Thou  shalt  us  judge,  our  actions  weigh, 
Condemn  the  had  lo  hell's  abyss, 
The  good  prefer  to  lasting  bliss. 

Giant  that  oar  lot  be  not  the  same 
With  their's  wiiofeed  th'  infernal  flame; 
IJut,  oh  !  vouchsafe  that  we  may  see 
Thy  heav'nly  face  eternally  : 

To  God  the  Father,  and  the  Son, 
And  Holy  Spirit,  three  in  one. 
Be  endless  glory,  as  before 
The  world  began,  so  evermore.  Amen^ 

.  II. 
Creator  of  the  stars  aoove, 
rUt  light  by  which  thy  faithful  move; 
19 


290  HYMNS. 

The  righteous  cause,  and  humble  vows, 
Of  those  whom  you  redeem'd,  espouse. 

Who,  lest  the  specious  wiles  of  hell 
Should  o'er  the  yielding  world  prevail, 
Compell'd  by  love's  enforced  decree. 
Did  make  yourself  its  remedy. 

Your  early  sufTrings  now  begin 
To  save  the  world  involved  in  sin, 
And  from  the  Virgin's  sacred  womb 
Continue  to  the  cross  and  tomb. 

The  VOICE  no  sooner  sounds  the  fami 
Of  the  Almighty  Jesus^  name, 
But  heav'n  and  hell  at  once  agree, 
And  jointly  bend  the  trembling  knee. 

Vouchsafe,  O  Sov'reign  Judge,  we  pray, 
That  at  the  last  accounting  day, 
Our  foe  may  not  prevail,  nor  we 
Give  up  the  souls  redeem'd  by  thee. 

May  each  succeeding  age  proclaim 
Thy  glory  and  eternal  fame ; 
And  sing  with  the  celestial  host. 
To  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost.  Amen. 


FOR  CHRISTMAS. 

I. 

Ye  faithful,  all  rejoice  and  sing. 
To  Bethlehem  your  trophies  bring: 
Before  the  new-born  Angels'  King : 
Come  let  tcs  Christ  adore, 
Come  let  us  Christ  adore, 
Come  let  us  Christ,  our  Lord  and  God,  adofe. 


HYMNS.  291 

Ttw  God  of  God,  true  light  of  light, 
Born  in  the  womb  of  Virgin  bright, 
Cego*.,  not  made,  true  God  of  might: 
Come  let  us  Christ,  (f-c. 

Angelic  choirs  with  joy  now  sing, 
Th'  heavenly  courts  with  echoes  ruig ; 
Glory  on  high  to  God  our  king: 
Come  let  us  Christ,  ^-c. 

Jesus,  whose  Hfe  this  day  begun. 
The  Father's  co-eternal  Son, 
Glory  to  him  be  ever  done : 

Come  let  us  Christ,  ^. 

II. 

From  ev'ry  part  o^er  which  the  sun, 
Does  in  its  annual  compass  run, 
May  creatures  all  conspire  to  sing 
The  praises  of  our  new-born  King. 

The  God  of  nature,  for  our  sake, 
Our  servile  nature  chose  to  take  ; 
With  flesh  to  lend,  our  flesh  his  aid, 
And  save  the  works  his  hands  had  made. 

In  Mary^s  womb  he  takes  his  place, 
And  there  erects  his  throne  of  grace : 
In  silence  she  adored,  and  blest 
The  sacred  myst'ry  in  her  breast. 

Her  virgin  womb,  that  chaste  abode, 
>*ecomes  the  temple  of  her  God : 
And  she  of  nature's  works  alone, 
Gainst  nature's  laws  conceives  a  son. 

Thus  does  the  bearing  maid  unfold, 
I' he  mystery  Gabriel  foretold ; 


292  HYMNS. 

Which  John,  within  his  mother's  womb, 
Foresaw,  and  blest  the  Lamb  to  come. 

Behold  him  in  the  manger  laid  ; 
A  sheaf  of  straw  his  royal  bed  ; 
And  he,  whose  bounty  feeds  the  rest, 
Lies  craving  at  his  mother's  breast. 

Here  angels  to  their  Maker  sing : 
Here  heav'n's  loud  choirs  with  echoes  ring, 
While  shepherds  here  adore,  and  know 
Their  Pastor  and  Creator  too. 

May  age  to  age  for  ever  sing 
The  virgin's  Son  and  angels'  King, 
And  praise,  with  the  celestial  host, 
The  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost.    Amen 


FOR  LENT. 

The  Hymn. 

0  BOUNTIFUL  Creator  I  hear 
The  praye'-s  which  with  an  humble  fear, 
Before  thy  throne,  this  sacred  Lent, 
We  pour  from  hearts  with  sorrow  rent. 

Almighty  Searcher  of  our  hearts! 
Tliou  kiiovv'st  the  weakness  of  our  parts; 
We  to  thy  tender  mercies  fly ; 
Ah!  do  thy  healuig  grace  apply. 

Alas !  our  sins  are  numberless ; 
But  we  our  guilt  with  grief  confess  ; 
Lord,  for  the  glory  of  tny  name, 
From  death  our  sinful  souls  reclaim. 

Whilst  we  by  fast  our  flesh  restrain, 
Permit  us  not  to  sin  again : 


^  HYMNS. 

0  may  our  hearts  from  vices  free, 
For  ever  live  and  burn  for  thee ! 

Grant,  O  most  holy  Trinity  ! 

O  undivided  Unity ; 

The  labcur  of  this  solemn  fast, 

May  lead  us  to  eternal  rest.    Amen, 

Jerusalem. 

Jerusalem,  my  happy  home. 

How  do  1  sigh  for  thee  ; 
When  shall  my  exile  have  an  end, 
Thy  joys  when  shall  I  see  ? 
Jerusalem,  Jerusalem, 

Jerusalem,  my  happy  home, 
How  do  I  sigh  for  thee. 

No  sun,  no  moon,  in  borrow'd  light, 

Revolve  thine  hours  away  ; 
The  Lamb  on  Calvary's  mountain  slain. 

Is  thy  eternal  day. 

Jerusalem,  Jerusalem,  &c. 

From  every  eye  He  wipes  the  tear, 
,All  sighs  and  sorrows  cease ; 

No  more  alternate  hope  or  fear, 
But  everlasting  peace. 
Jerusalem,  Jerusalem,  &c. 

The  thought  of  Thee  to  us  is  given, 

Our  sorrows  to  beguile, 
T'  anticipate  the  bliss  of  heaven. 

In  His  eternal  smile. 
Jerusalem,  Jerusalem,  &c. 

The  Christinas  Vesper  Hymn^ 

Depart,  awhile,  each  thought  of  care. 
Be  earthly  things  forgotten  all ; 


294  HTMNS. 

And  speak,  my  soul,  thy  vesper  pray*i 
Obedient  to  that  sacred  call, 
For  hark  !  the  pealing  chorus  swells ; 
Devotion  chants  the  hymn  of  praise, 
And  now  of  joy  and  hope  it  tells, 
Till  fainting  on  the  ear,  it  says 

Gloria  :ibi  Domine, 

Domine,  Domine. 

Thine,  wondrous  babe  of  Galilee  ! 
Fond  theme  of  David's  harp  and  song, 
Thine  are  the  notes  of  minstrelsy — 
To  thee  its  ransomed  chords  belong. 
And  hark !  again  the  chorus  swells  ! 
The  song  is  wafted  on  the  breeze, 
And  to  the  listening  earth  it  tells— 
In  accents  soft  and  sweet  as  these — 
Gloria  tibi  Domine. 

My  heart  doth  feel  that  still  He's  near, 
To  meet  the  soul  in  hours  like  this  ; 
Else — why,  O  why,  that  falling  tear! 
When  all  is  peace,  and  love,  and  bliss ! 
But  hark  !  that  pealing  chorus  swells 
Anew,  its  thrilling  vesper  strain. 
And  still  of  joy  and  hope  it  tells 
And  bids  rreation  sing  again 
Gloria  tibi  Domine. 


FOR  PASSION  AND  PALM  SUN 
DAYS. 

I. 

Under  the  world-redcerning  rood, 
The  most  afflicted  Mother  stood. 
Mingling  her  tears  with  her  Son's  blood. 


HYMNS.  295 

As  *hat  stream'd  down  from  ev'ry  part, 
Of  all  his  wounds  she  felt  the  smart : 
What  pierced  his  body  pierced  her  heart. 

Who  can  with  tearless  eyes  look  on, 
When  such  a  Mother,  such  a  Son, 
Wounded  and  gasping,  does  bemoan? 

O  worse  than  Jewish  heart,  that  could 
Unmoved  behold  the  double  flood, 
Oi  Mary^ s  tears  and  Jesus'  blood. 

Alas  !  our  sins  they  were  not  his, 
In  this  atoning  sacrifice. 
For  which  he  bleeds,  for  which  he  dies. 

When  graves  did  open,  rocks  were  rent. 
When  naTurs  and  each  element. 
His  torments  and  her  grief  resent. 

Shall  man,  the  cause  of  all  his  pain, 
And  all  her  grief,  shall  sinful  man 
Alone  insensible  remain? 

Ah  !  pious  Mother,  teach  my  heart 
Of  sighs  and  tears  the  holy  art. 
And  in  thy  grief  to  bear  a  part. 

That  eword  of  grief,  which  did  pass  through 
Thy  very  soul,  O  may  it  now 
One  kmd  wound  on  my  heart  bestow. 

Great  Queen  of  sorrows  !  in  thy  train 
Let  me  a  mourner's  place  obtain, 
W'ith  tears  to  cleanse  all  sinful  stain. 

To  heal  the  leprosy  of  sin, 
We  must  the  cure  with  tears  begin: 
All  flesh  corrupts  without  their  brine. 


296  HYMNS. 

Refuge  of  sinners !  grant  that  we 
May  tread  thy  steps,  and  let  it  be 
Our  sorrow  not  to  grieve  like  thee. 

O  !  may  the  wounds  of  thy  dear  Son 
Our  contrite  hearts  possess  alone, 
And  all  terrene  affections  drown  ! 

Those  wounds  which  now  the  stars  outshir^ 
Those  furnaces  of  love  divine  ; 
May  they  our  drossy  souls  refine, 

A*nd  on  us  such  impressions  make, 
That  we  of  suffring  for  his  sake 
May  joyfully  our  portion  take. 

Let  us  his  proper  badge  put  on ; 
Let's  glory  in  the  Cross  alone  ; 
By  which  he  marks  us  for  his  own. 

That  when  the  last  assizes  come, 
For  every  man  to  hear  his  doom. 
On  his  right  hand  we  may  find  room. 

O  !  hear  us,  3Iary   Jesus,  hear 
Our  humble  pray'r,  secure  our  fear  ; 
When  thou  in  judgment  shalt  appear. 

Now  give  us  sorrow,  give  us  love ; 
That  80  prepared  we  may  remove 
When  called  to  the  blest  world  above. 

IL 

Behold  the  Royal  Ensigns  fly 
The  cross's  shining  mystery  ; 
Where  fife  itself  gave  up  its  breath, 
And  Christ,  by  dyuig,  conquer'd  death. 

Th'  audacious  steel  let  out  a  flood 
Of  water  mix'd  with  saving  blood, 


HYMNS.  297 

Whilst  man's  redemption,  with  the  tide, 
Came  rushing  from  the  Saviour's  side. 

What  David's  faithful  numbers  told, 
Succeeding  nations  thus  unfold  : 
That  God  should  rule  from  main  to  main, 
And  wood,  not  steel,  assert  his  reign. 

Hail !  bounteous  tree  !  whose  branches  wor 
The  purple  of  his  royal  gore  ; 
Preferr'd  to  bear  those  arms,  from  whence 
Spring  all  our  blessings  and  defence. 

On  thee,  as  in  the  world's  great  scales, 
The  ransom  of  the  world  prevails  : 
Our  sin,  tho'  great,  his  pains  outweigh. 
And  rescue  hell's  expected  prey. 

All  hail,  O  happy,  mournful  tree. 
Our  hope  with  Christ  is  nail'd  on  thee; 
Grant  to  the  just  increase  of  grace. 
And  mediate  for  the  sinner  peace. 

Bless'd  Trinity,  to  thee  we  sing, 
The  Source  from  whom  all  graces  spring ; 
Immortal  crowns  on  them  bestow, 
Who  conquer  by  the  cross  below. 


FOR  EASTER  TIME. 

1. 

YoTTNo  men  and  maids,  rejoice  and  sing, 
'■Che  King  of  Heav'n,  the  glorious  King, 
This  day  from  death  rose  triumphing, 
Alleluia,  Alleluia,  Alleluia. 


298  HYMNS. 

On  Sunday  morn,  by  break  of  day, 
His  dear  disciples  haste  awav 
Unto  the  tomb  wherein  he  lay. 

Alleluia,  &.c. 

Nor  Magdalen,  nor  Salome, 
Nor  James's  mother  now  delay, 
T'  embalm  the  precious  corpse  straightway. 
Alleluia,  &c. 

An  angel  clothed  in  white  they  see. 
When  thither  come,  and  thus  spoke  he ; 
The  Lord  is  gone  to  Gahlee. 

Alleluia,  &c. 

The  de'ur  beloved  apostle  Jo?in, 
Much  swifter  than  St.  Peter  run, 
And  first  arrived  at  the  tomb. 

Alleluia,  &c, 

While  in  a  room  the  apostles  were, 
In  th'  midst  of  them  Christ  did  appear, 
And  said :  Peace  be  unto  all  here. 

Alleluia,  &-c. 

When  Didymus  had  heard  it  said, 
That  Christ  was  risen  from  the  dead, 
His  feeble  faith  still  staggered. 

Alleluia,  &c. 

O  Thomas,  view  my  side,  and  see 
The  wounds  in  hands  and  feet  that  be ; 
Renounce  thine  incrcduUty. 

Alleluia,  &c. 

When  Tlwmas  Jesus  had  survey'd, 
And  on  his  wounds  his  fingers  laid  ; 
Thou  art  my  Lord  and  God,  he  said. 

Alleluia,  &.c. 


HYMNS.  290 

Bless'd  are  they  who  have  not  seen, 
And  yet  whose  faith  entire  hath  been, 
Them  endless  life  from  death  shall  screen. 
Alleluia,  &c. 

On  this  most  solemn  feast  let's  raise, 
Our  hearts  to  God  in  hymns  of  praise. 
And  let  us  bless  the  Lord  always. 

Alleluia,  &c. 

Our  grateful  thanks  to  God  let's  give 
In  humble  manner,  while  we  live, 
^^or  all  the  fevours  we  receive. 

Alleluia,  &c. 


11. 

From  purple  seas  and  land  of  toil. 
We  come  to  feed  on  Egypt's  spoil ; 
May  whitest  robes  our  souls  prepare, 
To  meet  the  Christian  Passover. 

Christ's  love  the  priestly  function  play'fl; 
The  victim  on  the  altar  laid : 
His  blood  inflamed  with  love  for  man, 
•At  every  saving  channel  ran. 

The  wasting  angel  passes  o'er 
The  posts  distain'd  with  sacred  gore : 
The  yielding  sea  divides  its  waves, 
Egyptians  float  in  liquid  graves. 

Now  Christ  becomes  our  heav'niy  fare, 
Our  sacrifice  and  passovev  : 
By  him  (the  pure  unleaven'd  bread) 
The  pure  and  faithful  minds  are  fed. 

O  true  celestial  sacrifice  ! 
By  whom  hell's  slaves  from  death  arise? 


300  HYMNS. 

By  thee  death's  old  tyrannic  laws 
Submit,  and  life  regains  its  cause. 

Hence  dost  thou,  crown'd  with  laurels,  rise 
And  lead'st  thy  triumph  thro'  the  skies : 
Loaded  with  spoils  each  axle  reels, 
And  hell  and  death  attend  the  wheels. 

From  death  of  sin,  O  Jesus,  free 
Them  that  are  born  again  of  thee ; 
Be  thou  alone  our  chosen  Guest, 
And  everlasting  Paschal  Feast. 

May  endless  worlds  the  glories  tell 
Of  Christ,  who  vanquish'd  death  and  hell; 
And  one  eternal  prai?e  repeat 
To  th'  Father  and  the  Paraclete.  Amen. 


FOR  ASCENSION  DAY. 

I. 

The  sun  now  darts  his  cheerful  rays, 
The  heav'ns  rejoice  in  hymns  of  praise  : 
The  earth  resounds  in  tuneful  strains, 
More  loud  than  hell  can  shake  its  chains ; 

To  see  the  mighty  Jesus  lead 
The  Patriarchs  ransom'd  from  the  dead, 
Late  sons  of  shades,  and  heirs  of  night, 
To  people  realms  of  endless  light. 

The  dead's  First-born  resumes  his  breathy 
And  forces  thro'  the  gates  of  death. 
To  come  victorious,  and  increase 
The  triumphs  of  his  own  decease. 


HYMNS.  301 

Cease,  mournful  tears :  behold  relief ! 
Enough,  you  have  indulged  to  grief: 
The  herald  angels  now  proclaim,  ' 

Life's  reign  restored,  and  sound  his  fame. 

From  death  of  sin,  O  Jesus,  free 
Them  that  are  born  again  to  thee ; 
Be  thou  alone  our  chosen  guest, 
And  everlasting  Paschal  Feast. 

May  endless  worlds  the  glory  tell 
Of  Christ,  who  vanquish'd  death  and  hell, 
And  one  eternal  praise  repeat 
The  Father  and  the  Paraclete. 


FOR  PENTECOST. 

I. 

Now  Christ  hath  pierced  the  skies,  to  claim 
His  Father's  throne,  from  whence  he  came 
Intent  to  send  the  sacred  Dove, 
The  Holy  Ghost,  true  God  of  love. 

The  day  was  come,  on  which  the  sun 
Had  sev'n  times  sev'n  glad  courses  run, 
To  usher  in  the  seven-k)ld  rays, 
With  a  mysterious  term  of  days. 

Three  hours  from  the  sun's  rise  were  past, 
When  lo,  in  a  surprising  blast, 
The  twelve  at  pray'rs,  the  ghostly  God 
Rush'd  down  to  take  his  new  abode. 

Thus,  from  the  Father's  li^ht  there  cam« 
k  sacred  warmth  and  living  flame, 


S02  HYMNS. 

To  make  their  faithful  hearts  reveal, 
By  fiery  tongues,  their  ardent  zeal. 

They,  fiU'd  with  God,  in  transports  bless, 
With  various  tongues  and  languages, 
The  God  that  taught  those  wond'rous  waya, 
To  preach  his  works  and  speak  his  praise. 

The  Romans,  Greeks,  and  barbarous  sectSj 
AU  nations  and  all  dialects, 
Their  native  tongues  perceive,  and  praise 
The  author  of  their  strange  amaze. 
.    Whilst  Jews  alone,  of  all  mankind 
The  most  perversely  deaf  and  bhnd, 
Revile  God's  miracles,  and  think 
The  gift  of  tongues  th'  effect  of  drink. 

But  Peter  thwarts  their  impious  spite, 
And  brings  the  sacred  truth  to  light : 
A  truth  which,  tho'  from  them  concear^. 
The  Prophets  taught,  and  God  reveal'd. 

To  God  the  Father,  and  the  Son, 
Who  rose  from  death,  be  honour  done, 
And  equal  adoration  be. 
Eternal  Paraclete,  to  thee. 

II. 

Creator  Spirit,  by  whose  aid 
The  world's  foundation  first  was  laid ; 
Come,  visit  ev'ry  pious  mind, 
Come,  pour  thy  joys  on  human-kind; 
From  sin  and  sorrow  set  us  free, 
And  make  thy  temples  worthy  thee. 

O  Source  of  uncreated  light. 
The  Father's  promised  Paraclete  ! 
Thrice  holy  fount,  thrice  holy  fire, 


HTMNS.  303 

Our  hearts  with  heav'nly  love  inspire  ; 
Come,  and  thy  sacred  unetion  bring 
To  sanctify  us  while  we  sing. 

Plenteous  of  grace,  descend  from  high, 
Rich  in  thy  sev'n-fold  energy ! 
Thou  strength  of  his  Almighty  hand, 
Whose  pow'r  does  heav'n  and  earth  command ; 
Proceeding  Spirit,  our  defence,  •\ 

Who  dost  the  gift  of  tongues  dispense,  >• 
And  crown' st  thy  gift  with  eloquence.  J 

Refine  and  purge  our  earthly  parts : 
But,  oh  !  inflame  and  warm  our  hearts: 
Our  frailties  help,  our  vice  control, 
Submit  the  senses  to  the  soul ; 
And  when  rebellious  they  are  grown, 
Then  lay  thy  hand,  and  hold  them  down. 

Chase  from  our  minds  the  infernal  foe ; 
And  peace,  the  fruit  of  love,  bestow  : 
And,  lest  our  feet  should  step  astray, 
Protect  and  guide  us  in  the  way. 

Make  us  eternal  truths  receive. 
And  practise  all  that  we  believe : 
Give  us  thyself,  that  we  may  see 
The  Father  and  the  Son,  by  thee. 

Immortal  honour,  endless  fame, 
Attend  th' Almighty  Father's  name. 
The  Saviour  Son  be  glorified, 
Who  for  lost  man's  redemption  died ; 
And  equal  adoration  be, 
Eternal  Paraclete  to  thee.  Amen. 

III. 
Come,  Holy  Ghost,  send  down  those  beams 
Which  sweetly  flow  in  silent  streams, 


304  HYMN8. 

From  thy  bright  throne  above : 

0  come,  thou  Father  of  the  poor, 
Thou  bounteous  source  of  all  our  store 
Come,  fire  our  hearts  with  love. 

Come,  thou  of  comforters  the  best. 
Come,  thou  the  soul's  delicious  guest, 
The  pilgrim's  sweet  relief: 

1  hou  art  our  rest,  in  toil  and  sweat, 
Refreshment  in  excessive  heat, 
And  comfort  in  our  grief. 

O  sacred  light,  shoot  home  thy  darta 
0  pierce  the  centre  of  those  hearts, 
Whose  faith  aspires  to  thee  : 
Witiiout  thy  Godhead  nothing  can 
Have  any  worth  or  price  in  man ; 
Nothing  can  harmless  be. 

Lord,  wash  our  sinful  stains  away: 
Water  from  heav'n  our  barren  clay  ; 
Our  wounds  and  bruises  heal, 
To  thy  sweet  yoke,  our  stiff  necks  bow 
Warm  with  thy  fire  our  hearts  of  snow 
Our  wand'ring  feet  repeal. 

O  grant  thy  faithful,  dearest  Lord, 
Whose  only  hope  is  thy  sure  word. 
The  seven  gilts  of  thy  Spirit : 
Grant  us  in  life  t'  obey  thy  grace; 
Grant  us  in  death  to  see  thy  face, 

And  endless  joys  inherit. 


FOR  TRINITY  SUNDAY. 
I. 

When  Faith  was  proved  by  pow'r  divine, 
Its  mysteries  began  to  shine. 


HYMNS.  305 

God's  chosen  preachers  soon  reveai  d 
What  was  before  from  man  conceal'd. 

The  nature  of  the  Deity 
In  Godhead  one,  hi  persons  three, 
Eternal  all !  co-equal  too  ! 
Stupendous  truth,  all  Christians  knew. 

The  God  who  made  the  heav'ns,  the  earth. 
Who  gave  to  all  that  be  their  birth, 
Who  can't  be  seen  by  mortal  eye, 
He's  unity  and  trinity. 

In  him  we  be,  we  live,  we  move, 
He  claims  our  homage,  fear,  and  love, 
The  King  of  kings,  things  great  and  small, 
That  were,  are,  shall  be.  God  of  all. 

Past,  future  time  to  him  can't  be, 
No  change  ;  all  one  eternity  ; 
All  present ;  co-existing  he. 
In  one  immense  Identity ! 

Our  God  !  he  ne'er  began  to  be, 
Nor  shall  his  beinw  cease ;  for  he 
Existeth  necessarily, 
From  self,  all  self-sufficiency  ! 

Sun,  moon,  and  stars,  the  world  he  made 
Shall  perish,  all  like  flowers  fade ; 
Eternal  he,  survive  he  must. 
To  punish  sin,  reward  the  just. 

Sins  present,  past,  and  sins  to  come, 
He  knows  our  hearts,  our  future  doom. 
Tremendous  Lord  !  blot  out  the  score, 
With  Jesus'  blood  ;  we'll  sin  no  more. 

All  glory  to  the  sacred  three. 
Our  great,  our  ever-living  Lord, 
20 


306 


As  at  the  first,  still  may  he  be 
By  all  beloved,  obey'd,  adored. 


FOR  CORPUS  CHRISTI  DAY. 

I. 

SiNa,  O  my  tongue,  adore  and  praise 
The  depth  of  God's  mysterious  ways, 
How  Christ,  the  world's  great  King,  bestow'd 
His  flesh  conceal' d  in  human  food. 
And  left  mankind  the  blood  that  paid 
The  ransom  for  the  souls  he  made. 

Giv'n  from  above,  and  born  for  man, 
From  Virgin's  womb  his  life  began: 
He  liv'd  on  earth,  and  preach' d  to  sow 
The  seeds  of  heavenly  truths  below: 
Then  seal'd  his  mission  from  above. 
With  strange  effects  of  pow'r  and  love. 

'Twas  on  that  ev'ning,  when  the  last 
And  most  mysterious  supper  past; 
When  Christ  with  his  disciples  sat, 
To  close  the  law  with  legal  meat ; 
Then  to  the  twelve  himself  bestowed, 
With  his  own  hands,  to  be  their  food. 

The  Word  made  flesh,  for  love  of  mail. 
His  word  turns  bread  to  flesh  again ; 
And  wine  to  blood,  unseen  by  sense, 
By  virtue  of  Omnipotence: 
And  here  the  faithful  rest  secure, 
Whilst  God  can  vouch,  and  faith  insure. 

To  this  myt-terious  table  now. 
Our  knees,  our  hearts,  and  sense  we  bow  ♦ 
Let  ancient  rites  resign  their  place 
To  nobler  elements  cf  grace ; 


HYMNS.  307 

And  faith  for  all  defects  supply, 
Whilst  sense  is  lost  in  mystery. 

To  God  the  Father,  born  of  none, 
To  Christ,  his  co-eternal  Son, 
And  Holy  Ghost,  whose  equal  rajs 
From  both  proceed,  one  equal  praise  : 
One  honour,  jubilee,  and  fame. 
For  ever  bless  his  glorious  name.    Amtn, 

II. 

Our  hope,  our  food,  our  sacrifice, 
Sweet  Jesus,  on  the  altar  lies; 
The  church's  joy,  the  angels'  theme-, 
Sound  sweetly,  sound  the  blessed  name. 

To  awe  our  foes,  the  pow'rs  of  hell, 
He  promised  in  his  church  to  dwell ; 
Behold  our  incarnated  Lord, 
FulfiUeth  here  his  gracious  word. 

Behold  the  awful  mystery  ! 
His  flesh,  blood,  soul,  divinity, 
Wrapp'd  up  (our  wounded  souls  to  heal) 
In  mystic,  not  substantial  veil. 

Each  particle,  both  great  and  small, 
Sweet  Jesus,  is  sweet  Jesus  all ; 
This  food  to  thee,  my  soul,  shall  be 
A  source  of  immortality. 

When  devil,  world,  and  flesh  combine, 
To  counteract  thy  God's  design, 
Sweet  Jesus  in  the  host  shall  be. 
The  guardian  of  thy  purity. 

Feel  first  contriiion's  piercing  dart; 
Confession  next  will  ease  the  heart ; 


308  HYMNS. 

Submit  to  penance ; — then  prepare 
To  feast  upon  this  heav'nly  fare. 

All  hail  to  thee  !  sweet  Jesus,  hail ! 
We  now  our  wofal  sins  bewail ; 
Melt,  melt  our  hearts  with  pow'rful  grace. 
And  bless  us  in  this  holy  place. 

To  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost, 
To  Jesus,  in  the  sacred  host, 
All  glory  be — to  Mary  too, 
His  Virgin  Mother,  praise  is  due. 

Adore  him.  Angels,  man  adore  ; 
In  solemn  silence  all  adore. 
With  bended  knees,  and  hearts  contrite, 
Adore  both  heav'n  and  earth's  delight. 


FOR  ASSUMPTION  DAY. 
I. 

BRiaHT  Mother  of  our  Maker,  hail ! 
Thou  Virgin  ever  blest ! 
The  ocean' s-star,  by  which  we  ssul, 
A.id  gain  the  port  of  rest. 

Whilst  we  this  Hail  do  thus  to  thee 
From  GahrieVs  mouth  rehearse  ; 
Prevail  that  peace  our  lot  may  be, 
And  Eva's  name  reverse. 

Release  our  long  entangled  mind 
From  all  the  snares  of  ill ; 
With  heavenly  light  instruct  the  blind, 
And  all  our  vows  fulfil. 

Exert  for  us  a  Mother's  care, 
And  us  thy  children  own ; 


HYMNS. 

Prevail  on  him  to  hear  our  prayer, 
Who  chose  to  be  thy  Son. 

O  spotless  maid !  whose  virtues  shine 
Wuh  brightest  purity, 
Each  action  of  our  Uves  refine, 
And  make  us  pure  like  thee. 

Preserve  our  lives  unstain'd  with  ill, 
In  this  infectious  way  ; 
That  heav'n  alone  our  souls  may  fill 
With  joys  that  ne'er  decay. 

To  God  the  Father  endless  praise, 
To  God  the  Son  the  same, 
And  Holy  Ghost,  whose  equal  rays 
One  equal  glory  claim.     A7nen. 


309 


FOR  ST.  MICHAELMAS  DAY. 
I. 

0  LoKD  of  hosts,  whose  beams  impart 
New  life  and  vigour  to  the  heart ; 
For  thee  we  tune  the  grateful  lyre, 
And  mingle  with  the  Angels'  choir. 

Myriads  of  chiefs  their  lanocs  wield, 
And  glitter  o'er  the  azure  field  ; 
Whilst  Michael,  like  the  blazing  star, 
Displays  the  Cross,  and  ends  the  war. 

The  dragon's  head  he  crush'd  with  this, 
And  drove  him  down  the  vast  abyss : 
Whilst  rebel  angels,  with  their  head, 
Impatient  of  his  lightning,  fled. 

0  may  we  choose  a  better  guide. 
And  vanquish  all  attempts  of  pride  ; 


310  HYMNS. 

That  we  the  vacant  seats  may  gain, 
And  with  the  Lamb  for  ever  reign. 

To  God  the  Father,  &c 


FOR  ALL  SAINTS'  DAY 

I. 

O  Sov'keign  Jesus,  give  thy  aid 
To  all  thou  hast  redeem'd  and  made  : 
Mother  of  grace,  make  sinners  share 
The  helps  of  thy  maternal  care. 

Blest  Spirits,  who  assist  before 
The  throne  of  God,  for  us  implore  : 
Ye  Patriarchs  pray  :  ye  Prophets  plead  i 
And  for  indulgence  intercede. 

Thou  Baptist,  thou  Precursor  blest, 
'itVjU  chief  of  Pastors,  with  the  rest 
Of  Christ's  apostles,  pray  that  we 
Way  live  from  sinful  fetters  liee. 

Next  Martyrs'  and  Confessors'  choir 
With  sacred  virgins'  vows  conspire, 
And  join  with  us,  of  heav'n  l'  obtain 
Discharge  of  every  sinful  stain. 

All  happy  great  ones,  that  rei5ort 
To  Hll  high  heav'n's  imperial  court, 
With  just  compassion  now  bestow. 
Your  heav'nly  gifts  on  us  below. 

May  each  succeeding  age  proclaim, 
Thy  glory,  Lord,  and  endless  fame  : 
And  praise,  with  the  celestial  host, 
The  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost. 


HYMNS.  311 

11. 

O  Christ,  before  whose  throne  of  grace, 
Tny  Mother  stands  to  plead  our  case : 
Exert  thy  love,  and  grant  that  we 
May  share  thy  Father's  clemency. 

Angels,  Archangels,  Thrones  and  Pow'rs, 
And  all  who  guard  the  heavenly  Tow'rs, 
From  present,  past,  arni  future  ill, 
With  watchful  eye  preserve  us  still. 

Blest  Prophets  and  Apostles,  plead 
Our  guilty  cause  ;  and  intercede 
With  our  offended  Jud^e,  that  we 
With  tears  may  move  his  clemency. 

May  Martyrs'  robes  of  purple  dye 
With  stoles  of  white  Confessors  vie; 
And  both  prevail  to  call  us  home 
From  exile,  and  reverse  our  doom. 

Chaste  train  of  Virgins,  blest  supplies, 
Who,  nurst  in  deserts,  fill  the  skies : 
And  all  ye  choirs  of  Saints,  obtain 
That  we  with  you  may  jointly  reign. 

Preserve  thy  faithful's  Kingdom  free 
From  unbehevers'  tyranny : 
That  all  mankind,  united,  may 
One  Pastor  of  their  souls  obey. 

Great  everlastmg  God,  to  Thee, 
\n  essence  One,  in  persons  Three, 
May  all  thy  works,their  tribute  bring, 
A.n^  every  age  thy  glory  sing.    Amen, 


312  HYMNS. 

Anthem  for  Christmas. 

There  were  Shepherds  abiding  in  thw  field. 
Keeping  watch  over  their  flocks  by  nigbl. 
And  lo  !   the  angel  of  the   Lord  camo  upon 

them ; 
And  the  glory  of  the  Lord  shone  round  jAkOHl 

them  ; 
And  they  were  sore  afraid. 
And  the  angel  said  unto  them,  Fear  ttot^ 
For  behold  I  bring  you  glad  tidinga ; 
Glad  tidings  of  great  joy. 
For  unto  you  is  born,  this  day,  a  Saviour 
Which  is  Christ,  the  Lord. 
The  marvellous  world  beholds,  amazed, 
The  glorious  hierarchy  of  Heaven  ! 
Who,  from  the  ethereal  vaults,  resound 
The  praise  of  God,  and  of  his  only  Son. 

Adoration  of  Jesus  in  the  blessed  Sacraii^<i^X% 

Saving  Host !  we  fall  before  thee, 

Trusting  in  our  Saviour's  word; 
Thee,  we  own  the  Lord  of  glory, 

Thee  wo  own  our  sov' reign  Lord. 
While  our  evil  foes  contending. 

Threaten  our  eternal  loss  ; 
Be  with  heav'nly  grace  defending, 

And  protect  us  with  thy  cross. 

From  thy  Father's  throne  descending. 

Thou  becom'st  our  daily  bread; 
'Midst  celestial  hosts  attending. 

With  thy  flesh  our  souls  are  fed. 
Come,  thou  Source  of  ev'ry  blessing 

Warm  our  hearts  with  love  divine, 
Let  thy  grace,  our  souls  possessing. 

Make  us  all  for  ever  thine. 


313 


Aspirations  before  Communion. 

My  God  !  my  life  !  my  love  ! 

To  thee,  to  thee,  I  call ; 
0  !  come  to  me  from  heaven  above, 

And  be  my  God,  my  all. 

My  faith  beholds  thee,  Lord  ! 

Conceal' d  in  human  food  ; 
My  senses  fail ;  but  in  thy  word 

I  trust  and  find  my  God. 

O  !  when  wilt  thou  be  mine, 

Sweet  lover  of  my  soul ! 
My  Jesus  dear  !  my  King  divme  ! 

Come,  o'er  my  heart  to  rule. 

O  come  !  and  fix  thy  throne 
In  the  midst  of  my  heart ; 

O  !  make  it  burn  for  thee  alone, 
And  from  thence  ne'er  depart* 

Begone  ye.  from  my  mind, 
Vain  childish,  earthly  toys  ; 

Fn  my  .Tesus  alone  I  find 
True  pleasures,  solid  joyg. 


BONA  MORS. 

PIODB    ASSOCIATION    FOR    OBTAINING,   BT   MDTO. 
PRAYERS,  THE    BLESSING    OF 

A    HAPPY    DEATH. 


I  heard  a  voice  from  heaven  smms.  unto  me,  write 
Blessed  are  the  dead  who  die  in  the  Lord. — Apoc»  xiv,  1} 


PRAYERS 

M  Public  Meetings  and  for  Private  Devotions 

In  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son. 
and  of  the  Holy  Gho^t.    Amen. 

Open,  O  Lord,  our  mouths,  to  bless  thy 
holy  name,  cleanse  our  hearts  from  all  vain 
and  distractin<:r  thouo;hts,  enlighten  our  un- 
derstanding, inllame  our  will,  that  we  may 
worthily  perform  this  holy  exercise  with  at- 
tention and  devotion,  and  may  deserve  to 
be  heard  in  the  presence  of  thy  divine  Ma- 
jesty, who,  with  the  Father  and  the  Holy 
Ghost,  Vue.i-t  ^nd  roigne-*,  '""'>  God,  world 
without  end.    Amen. 


BONA   MORS.  315 

Lord,  have  mercy  on  us. 

Christ,  have  mercy  on  us. 

Lord,  have  mercy  on  us. 

Holy  Mary, 

All  ye  holy  angels  and  archangels, 

St.  Abel, 

All  ye  choirs  of  just  souls, 

St.  Abraham, 

St.  John  the  Baptist, 

All  ye  holy  patriarchs  and  prophets, 

St.  Peter, 

St.  Paul, 

St,  Andrew, 

St.  John, 

All  ye  holy  apostles  and  evangelists. 

All  ye  Itoly  disciples  of  our  Lord, 

All  ye  holy  innocents, 

St.  Stephen, 

St.  Laurence,  , 

All  ye  holy  martyrs, 

St.  Sylvester, 

St.  Gregory, 

St.  Augustin, 

All  ye  holy  bishops  and  confessors, 

St.  Benedict, 

St.  Francis, 

All  ye  holy  monks  and  hermits, 

St.  Mary  Magdalen, 

St.  Lucy, 

All  ye  holy  Virgins  and  widows, 

All  ye  saints  of  God,  Make  intercession  for  us! 

Be  merciful  unto  us,  Spare  us,  O  Lord ! 

Be  merciful  unto  us.  Hear  us,  O  Lord! 

From  thy  anger,  "| 

From  the  danger  of  death,  !    q  Lord,  deliver u» 

h  rom  an  unfortunate  death, 

From  the  pains  of  hell,       J 


,« 
> 


ol6 


BONA   MORS. 


From  all  evil, 

from  the  power  of  the  devil,  Q 

Tlii-ongh  ihy  nativity,  h 

Through  thy  cross  and  passion, 

Through  thy  death  and  burial, 

Throii^ih  thy  glorious  resurrection, 

Tiiro!io;ii  thy  admirable  ascension, 

Through  the  grace  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  the 

comfjrter. 
In  the  clay  of  judgment. 
We  sinners,  J)o  beseech  thee  to  hear  us. 
That  tiiou  ?pare  us,  IVe  beseech  tliee  to  hear  us. 
Lord,  have  mercy  on  us. 
Christ,  iiave  mercy  on  us. 
Lord,  have  mercy  on  us. 

Let  ns  Pray. 

May  thy  clemency  vouchsafe,  O  God,  so 
to  confirm  thy  servants  in  thy  holy  grace, 
that  at  the  hour  of  their  death  the  enemy 
may  not  prevail  againsl  them,  but  that  with 
tliy  angels  they  may  deserve  to  pass  into  life 
everlasting,  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 
jlmen. 

Omnipotent  and  most  merciful  Creator, 
who,  to  refresh  thy  thirsty  people  in  the  des- 
eri,  didst  command  streams  of  water  to  flow 
from  the  hardest  rocks,  draw,  we  beseech 
thee,  Irom  our  dry  eyes,  and  stony  hearts,  de- 
sired tears  of  perfect  compunction,  that  we 
may  fully  detest  all  sin,  and  only  thirst  after 
the  ha[)py  and  glorious  vision  of  thee  our 
Gdd,  tlie  Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Holy  Ghost. 
Jlme7i. 


BONA   MORS.  317 

Jin  J^d  of  Contrilion. 
My  dear  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  Redeemer  of 
the  world,  behold,  prostrate  at  thy  leet,  the 
most  unhappy  and  most  untrrateful  creature 
on  the  face  of  the  earth.  My  God,  I  have 
offended  thee  most  grievously,  in  thouj^hts, 
words,  and  deeds.  My  heinous  crimes  fixed 
thee  on  the  bloody  cross.  To  rescue  me  from 
eternal  damnation,  thou  didst  asjonize  three 
hours  on  Mount  Calvary.  But,  oh  how 
much  am  I  displeased  with  myself!  How  I 
E;rieve  for  having  offended  thee,  a  God  of 
infinite  goodness,  of  infinite  charity!  I  am 
astonished  and  conibunded  at  thy  incompre- 
hensible patience  in  supporting  the  most  pro- 
voking wretch  that  breathes.  From  the  very 
bottom  of  my  heart,  I  detest  all  my  sins  ;  and 
because  I  love  thee,  and  will  love  thee  above 
all  things  created.  I  steadfastly  purpose,  by  thy 
holy  grace,  never  to  oifend  thee  more,  to  die 
a  thousand  deaths  rather  than  commit  one 
mortal  sin.     j-lmen. 

The  Staiiojis  of  the  Sacred  Passion. 

V.  O  most  sweet  Jesus,  praying  to  the 
Father  in  the  garden,  sorrowful  even  unto 
death,  and  sweating  in  an  agony  of  grie^ 
have  mercy  on  us. 

R.  Have  mercy  on  us,  0  Lord,  have  mercy 
on  us. 

F.  O  most  sweet  Jesus,  delivered  by  the 
traitor's  kiss  into  the  hands  of  thy  enemies, 
seized  and  bound  like  a  thief,  and  abandoned 
by  thy  disciples,  have  mercy  on  us. 


318  BONA   MORS. 

K.  Have  mercy  on  us,  O  Lord,  have  mercy 
on  us. 

r.  O  most  sweet  Jesus!  by  the  unjust  ver- 
dict of  the  Jews  found  guilty  of  deathl^  brought 
like  a  malefactor  before  the  tribunal  of  Pilate, 
scorned  and  derided  by  impious  Herod,  have 
mercy  on  us. 

R.'E.a.ve  mercy  on  us,  O  Lord,  have  mercy 
on  us. 

V.  O  most  sweet  Jesus !  stripped  of  thy 
garments,  and  most  inhumanly  scourged  at 
the  pillar,  have  mercy  on  us. 

R.  Have  mercy  on  us,  O  Lord,  have  mercy 
on  us. 

V.  O  most  sweet  Jesus !  crowned  with 
thorns,  blindfolded,  buffeted,  struck  with  a 
reed,  clothed  in  derision  with  a  purple  gar- 
ment, and  many  other  ways  scorned  and  re- 
viled, have  mercy  on  us. 

R.  Have  mercy  on  us,  O  Lord,  have  mercy 
on  us. 

V.  O  most  sweet  Jesus  !  reputed  more  cri- 
minal -than  Barabbas  the  murderer,  rejectea 
by  the  Jews,  and  condemned  to  the  igno- 
minious death  of  the  cross,  have  mercy  on 
us. 

R.  Have  mercy  on  us,  0  Lord,  have  mercy 
on  us. 

V.  O  most  sweet  Jesus !  loaded  wuth  a 
heavy  cross,  and  led  like  an  innocent  lamb  to 
the  place  of  execution,  have  mercy  on  us. 

R.  Have  mercy  on  us,  O  Lord,  have  mercy 
on  us. 

V.  O  most  sweet  Jesus !  hanging  between 


BONA    MORS  31? 

hfr«  ttiieves,  derided,  blasphemed,  made  to 
tastw  vinegar  and  £;aU,  and  enduring  most 
horrible  torments  from  the  sixih  to  the  ninth 
hour,  have  mercy  on  us. 

R.  Have  mercy  on  us,  O  Lonirhavo  mercy 
on  us 

V.  O  most  sweet  Jesus !  dead  upon  the 
cross,  and  wounded  in  thy  side  with  a  spear, 
in  thy  holy  Mother's  presence,  whence  issued 
forth  water  and  blood,  have  mercy  on  us. 

R.  Have  mercy  on  us,  O  Lord,  have  mercy 
on  us. 

V.  O  most  swee  Jesus  !  taken  down  from 
the  cross,  and  bathed  with  the  tears  of  thy 
most  sorrowl'ui  Mother,  have  mercy  on  us. 

R.  Have  mercy  on  us,  O  Lord,  have  mercy 
on  us. 

V.  O  most  sweet  Jesus  !  torn  and  bruised 
ail  over,  thy  body  bearing  the  sacred  marks 
of  thy  five  most  precious  wounds,  embalmed 
with  spices,  and  laid  in  the  sepulchre,  have 
mercy  on  us. 

R.  Have  mercy'on  us,  O  Lord,  have  mercy 
on  us. 

V.  He  truly  bore  our  sorrows. 

R.  And  he  carried  our  griefs. 

Let  us  pray. 
O  God,  who  for  the  redemption  of  the 
world  didst  vouchsafe  to  be  born,  circum- 
cised, rejected  by  the  Jews,  betrayed  with  a 
kiss,  bound  like  a  malefactor,  and  like  an  in- 
nocent lamb,  led  to  slau^jhter,  i^nominiously 
brought  before  Annas,  Caiphas,Pilate  and  He- 


320  BOA^A   MOES. 

rod,  accused  by  false  witnesses,  scourged  with 
whips,  bulft'ted,  defiled  with  spittle,  crowned 
with  thorns,  stripped  of  thy  clothes,  fastened 
to  the  cross,  placed  between  two  thieves,  to 
have  vincijar  and  gall  given  thee  to  drink, 
and  thy  side  pierced  through  with  a  spear: 
mayest  thou,  O  Lord  (by  these  most  grievous 
pains,  which  I,  though  unworthy,  do  com- 
meraorate,  and  by  thy  most  sacreci  <leatli  and 
passion),  free  me  from  the  pains  of  hell,  and 
conduct  me  whither  thy  mercy  conducted 
the  good  thief,  crucified  with  thee,  who,  to- 
gether with  the  Father,  and  the  Holy  Ghost, 
Iivest  and  reignest  for  ever.    Anxcn. 

Devout  Addresses  to  the  Five  Wounds  of  our 
Saviour. 

Let  us  adore  the  five  most  sacred  wounds  of 
Christ  our  Lord,  and  each  one  in  particular,  with 
an  assured  coufidetice  of  obtaiuino;  ail  blessings 
through  his  passion  and  death  oilerod  for  us  to 
his  eternal  Father,  We  will  also  condole  with 
the  holy  INIotber  of  Christ,  whose  soul  was 
pierced  with  tin- sword  of  grief,  standing  under 
the  cross  of  her  beloved  Son:  we  will  likewise 
praise  and  magnify  the  most  blessed  Trinity,  for 
so  great  and  incomprehensible  a  benefit. 

•  To  the  wound  of  the  left  foot. 
My  Lord  Jesus  Christ!  I  humbly  adore  the 
most  sacred  wound  of  thy  left  ("ootr  1  rendei 
thee  Ihaiiks  for  that  cruel  pain  sudered  with 
so  great  love  and  charity?  I  feelingly  com 
passionate  thy  torment  and  the  excessiv'e  grief 


BONA    MORS.  321 

of  thy  most  afflicted  mother;  I  humbly  beg 
pardon  for  all  my  sins,  which  I  lament  more 
than  all  imaginable  evils,  because  they  of- 
fend thee,  0  infinite  goodness  !  And  I  resolve 
never  more  to  sin.  O  bring  all  sinners,  with  -v 
me,  to  a  true  conversion,  and  give  them  light 
to  discover  the  heinousness,  the  enormity, 
ana  brutality  of  a  mortal  crime. 

Our  Father — Hail,  Mary — Glory  be,  Sec. 

To  the  wound  of  the  right  foot. 

My  Lord  Jesus  Christ!  I  humbly  adore 
the  most  sacred  wound  of  thy  right  foot.  J 
render  thee  thanks  for  that  cruel  pain  suf- 
fered with  so  great  love  and  charity.  I  feel- 
ingly compassionate  thy  torments,  and  the 
excessive  grief  of  thy  most  afflicted  mother. 
I  supplicate  thee  to  grant  me  strength  against 
all  temptations,  and  a  prompt  obedience  in 
the  execution  of  thy  divine  will.  Comfort,  O 
Jesus  !  all  poor,  miserable,  afflicted,  tempted 
and  persecuted  persons.  Most  just  Judge, 
govern  those'who  administer  justice,  and  as- 
sist all  laborers  in  the  cure  of  souls,  whether 
amongst  Christians  or  infidels. 

Our  Father— Hail,  Mary— Glory  be,  &c. 

To  the  wound  of  the  left  hand. 
My  Lord  Jesus  Christ '  I  humbly  adore  the 
most  sacred  wound  of  thy  left  hand.  I  render 
thee  thanks  for  that  cruel  pain,  suffered  with 
so  great  love  and  charity.  I  feelingly  com- 
passionate  thy  torments  and  the  excessive 
21 


322  BONA   MORS. 

grief  of  thy  most  afflicted  mother.  By  them 
I  petition  "thee  to  deliver  me  from  the  pairig 
of  hell,  and  grant  me  patience  and  conformity 
to  thy  blessed  pleasure  in  all.  the  contradic- 
tions of  this  present  life.  I  offer  unto  thee 
all  my  exterior  and  interior  sufferings,  in  sat- 
isfaction for  my  sins,  which  have  so  often 
deserved  eternal  torments.  I  beg  thee  to  par- 
don all  my  enemies,  and  others  ill  aifectod 
towards  me ;  bless,  O  Lord,  the  sick  with 
patience  and  health  ;  support  with  thy  assist- 
ing grace  all  those  in  their  agony,  that  thej 
may  not  perish. 

Our  Father— Hail,  Mary— Glory  be,  &c. 

To  the  wound  of  the  right  hand. 

My  Lord  Jesus  Christ !  I  humbly  adore  the 
most  sacred  wound  of  thy  right  hand.  I  ren- 
der thee  thanks  for  that  cruel  pain,  suffered 
with  so  great  love  and  charity.  I  feelingly, 
compassionate  thy  torments,  and  the  exces- 
sive grief  of  thy  most  afflicted  mother.  I 
supplicate  thee  to  grant  me  a  firm  and  reso- 
lute will  in  all  things  relating  to  my  salvation. 
Bless  me  with  final  perseverance  in  grace,  toi 
gecure  the  enjoyment  of  that  glory  which 
was  purchased  with  the  price  of  thy  most  sa- 
cred blood.  Grant  also,  my  Jesus  !  speedy 
peace  and  repose  to  the  souls  in  purgatory; 
cause  thy  holy  servants  in  this  world  to  make 
daily  progress  in  perfection,  especially  thofle> 
who  are  of  this  confraternity. 

Our  Father — Hail,  Mary — Glory  be,  &c. 


BONA   MORS.  323 

To  the  wound  in  the  sacred  side. 

My  Lord  Jesus  Christ !  I  humbly  adore  the 
most  sacred  wound  in  thy  blessed  side,  ren- 
dering thanks  for  the  immense  love  mani- 
fested towards  us,  at  the  opening  of  thy  in- 
flamed heart ;  I  feelingly  condole  the  affronts 
and  the  excessive  grief  of  thy  most  afliicted 
mother.  Grant  me  pure  love  and  perfect 
charity,  that  loving  thee  above  all  things,  and 
all  things  in  thee,  my  miserable  soul,  by  the 
assistance  of  thy  holy  grace,  may  be  worthy 
to  be  breathed  out  in  the  sacred  wound  of 
thy  blessed  side.  I  humbly  beg  thee,  dear 
Jesus,  to  protect  thy  holy  Catholic  church, 
direct  thy  governing  vicar  upon  earth,  all 
ecclesiastical  orders  and  secular  persons,  who 
are  instrumental  in  bringing  souls  to  do  their 
duty.  Preserve  in  thy  happy  service  all 
Christian  rulers.  Reduce  into  the  way  of 
salvation  all  those  that  are  gone  astray,  whe- 
ther through  malice  or  ignorance.  Ei  ing  un- 
der thy  sweet  yoke  all  infidels,  heretics,  and 
other  enemies  of  thy  holy  name. 

Our  Father— Hail,  Mary— Glory  be,  &c. 
Let  us  pray. 

O  Lord  Jesus  Christ !  God  of  my  heart;  by 
those  five  wounds  which  the  love  of  us  inflict 
ed  on  thee,  succor  thy  servants,  wiiom  thoi 
hast  redeettied  with  thy  precious  blood.  j9men 

Most  merciful  Redeemer!  I  humbly  be- 
seech thee,  by  the  unspeakable  torments, 
and  the  immense  grief,  which  thou  wast 
pleased  to  suffer  for  me,  a  contemptible  crea* 


324  BONA   MORS. 

ture,  especially  when  tliy  divine  soul  waa 
bitterly  separated  from  thy  blessed  body,  that 
thou  wilt  secure  my  poor  soul  at  the  final 
separation,  and  comfort  me  then,  as  thou  didst 
the  good  thief,  saying  to  me,  This  day  shalt 
thou  be  with  me  in  paradise.     Amen. 

Let  us  have  recourse  to  the  ever  immaculate 
Virgin,  Mother  of  God,  beseeching  her  to  pro- 
tect us  under  the  shadow  of  her  wings,  until  the 
wrath  of  God  be  appeased  ;  and  to  obtain  for  us 
true  contrition  and  perseverance  in  the  holy 
grace  of  her  blessed  Son.  We  will  also  petition 
for  what  each  one  here  present  stands  in  need  of, 
according  to  his  spiritual  or  temporal  necessities, 
to  the  greater  glory  of  God.  To  merit  these 
favors,  we  will  pray  in  union  with  that  more  than 
seraphic  love  wherewilh  the  dolorous  Mother 
stood  under  the  cross  of  her  bleeding  Jesus. 

STABAT    MATER    DOLOROSA. 

Under  tlie  world's  redeeming  wood 
The  most  aftticted  Motlier  stood, 
Mingling  her  tears  with  her  Son's  blood. 
As  that  streamed  down  from  every  part, 
Of  all  Ills  wounds  she  felt  the  smart, 
What  pierced  his  body,  pierced  her  heart. 
Who  can  with  tearless  eyes  look  on, 
When  such  a  mother,  such  a  Son, 
Wounded  and  gasping,  does  bemoan  ? 
O  worse  than  Jewish  heart  that  could. 
Unmoved,  behold  the  double  flood, 
Of  Mary's  tears  and  Jesus'  blood/ 

It  is  our  sins,  alas  !  not  his, 

For  wbich  he  bleeds,  for  vvliich  he  diea, 

In  this  atoning  sacrifice, 

When  graves  did  open,  rocks  were  rent» 

When  nature,  and  oacli  element. 

His  torments  and  his  erief  resent : 


BONA   MORS.  325 

Shall  man,  the  cause  of  all  his  jiain 
And  al!  his  prief,  shall  sinful  maa 
Alone  insensible  remain? 

Ah  !  pious  Mother,  teach  my  heart 

Of  sighs  and  tears  tlie  holy  art, 

And  in  thy  grief  to  bear  a  part. 

The  sword  of  grief  that  did  pass  tlirough 

Thy  very  soul,  O  !  may  it  now 

One  kind  wound  on  my  heart  bestow. 

Great  Queen  of  sorrows  in  thy  train 

Let  me  a  mourner's  place  obtain, 

With  tears  to  cleanse  all  sinful  stain. 

Refuge  of  sinners,  grant  that  we 
May  tread  tliy  steps,  and  let  it  be. 
Our  sorrow  not  to  grieve  with  thee. 
O  may  the  wounds  of  thy  dear  Son 
Our  contrite  hearts  possess  alone, 
And  all  terrene  attections  drown. 
May  they  such  impressions  make, 
That  we,  of  sufl'ring  for  his  sake. 
May  joyfully  our  portion  take. 

Let  us  his  proper  badge  put  on, 

Let's  glory  in  his  cross  alone, 

By  which  he  marks  us  for  his  own. 

That  when  the  dreadful  day  shall  come, 

For  ev'ry  man  to  hear  his  doom, 

On  his  right  hand  we  may  find  room. 

O  !  hear  us,  Mary  !  Jesus,  hear 

Our  humble  prayer,  secure  our  fear, 

When  tliou  in  judgment  shalt  appear. 

Now  give  us  sorrow,  give  us  love. 

That  so  prepared  we  may  remove, 

When  called,  to  the  blest  seats  above,    ,8mcft, 

V.  The  []word  of  sorrow  has  pierced  thy 
•oul. 

R.  That  out  of  many  hearts  cogitations 
may  be  revealed. 


326  BONA   MORS. 

Let  US  pray. 

We  beseech  thee,  O  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  that 
the  blessed  V.  Mary  may  effectually  intercede 
with  thy  clemency  for  us,  both  now  and  ut 
the  hour  of  our  death,  who  at  the  hour  of  thy 
I)assion  had  her  holy  soul  run  through  with 
the  sword  of  sorrow;  who  livest  and  reignest 
with  the  Father,  and  the  Holy  Ghost,  one 
God,  world  without  end.     Amen. 

Let  us  say  Our  Father  and  Hail  Mary  three 
times,  in  memory  of  the  three  hours  our  dear 
Redeemer  huns;  upon  the  cross,  aud  apply  thera 
to  the  souls  of  the  departed  of  this  confraternity 

Our  Father,  &c. 

i 

Let  us  also  say  an  Our  Father  and  a  Hail  Mary 
for  such  as  are  in  the  lamentable  state  of  mortal 
sin. 

Our  Father,  See. 

Let  us  a»ain  say  an  Our  Father  and  a  Hail 
Mary  for  him  or  her  of  this  confraternity  that  is 
to  die  next,  that  he  or  she  may  be  prepared,  and 
depart  heartily  fortified  with  the  holy  sacra- 
ments of  the  church. 

Our  Father,  &c. 

Let  us  dispose  ourselves  by  acts  of  perfect  con- 
trition and  pure  love  of  God,  to  receive  worthily 
the  benediction  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  in  the 
adorable  sacrament  of  the  altar. 

Merciful  Redeemer,  and  holy  God  of  infinite 
patience  !  great  is  my  confusion  to  appear  in 
thy  divine  presence,  having  so  frequently 
postponed  tlioe,  the  omnipotent  Creator  o^ 
the  universe,  to  vile  and  contemptible  crea* 


BONA   MORS.  327 

tnreg.  T,  a  miserable  worm  of  the  earth,  v/ho 
utterly  detest  my  horrid  confidence  of  sinning 
in  thy  most  pure  sight;  1  own  myself  a  no- 
torious criminal,  and  I  plead  guilty  at  the  bar 
of  thy  dread  tribunal.  Thou  mightest  have 
been  glorified  in  thy  justice  by  suddenly  strik- 
mg  me  dead,  and  by  condemning  me  to  eter- 
nal flames,  for  base  indignities  put  upon  thee. 
But  thou  wert  pleased  to  be  glorified  in  the 
high  prerogative  of  thy  mercy,  in  calling  me 
back  to  repentance.  I  abhor  all  my  crimes 
of  thought,  word,  and  deed,  not  for  the  hope 
of  reward,  or  fear  of  punishment,  but  lor  thy 
own  sake,  and  because  thou  dost  infinitely 
abominate  them.  Oh  !  my  God  of  majesty 
and  mercy  !  look  upon  those  sacred  marks  in 
thy  hands,  feet,  and  side,  which  thou  retain- 
est  in  thy  glorified  body,  to  plead  my  pardon 
By  that  tender  love  which  induced  thee  to 
create,  redeem,  and  sanctify  me,  unite  the 
abyss  of  thy  merits  to  the  abyss  of  my  mis- 
ery. I  declare  before  thy  throne,  and  the 
whole  court  of  heaven,  that  I  freely  clioose  to 
die  here  upon  my  knees,  rather  than  live  any 
lojjger,  to  rob  thee  of  due  honor  by  one  mor- 
tal srn^  My  heart  was  created  for  thee,  and 
I  love  ^ee  more  than  myself.  Every  respi- 
ration coming  from  me,  especially  the  last, 
when  I  breathe  out  my  soul,  shall  be  an  irre- 
vocable protestation  of  my  pure  and  sincere 
love  of  thy  divine  Majesty.  Sweet  Saviour  of 
perishing  mankind  I  who  openest  thy  hand, 
and  fillest  every  creature  with  benediction, 
give  me  now  such  a  blessing  as  thou  didst  be- 


328  BONA   MORS. 

stow  on  thy  belov-ed  disciples  when  ascending 
in  triumph  from  Mount  Olivet,  that  I  may 
live  and  die  in  this  happy  disposition,  jlmen 
When  this  exercise  is  performed  in  public,  it 
is  terminated  by  the  bencdictioa  of  th.e  blessed 
sacrament. 

Litany  for  obtaining  a  good  death. 

Lord  Jesus,  graoiotis  God,  Father  of  mercy,  I 
present  myself  before  thee  with  an  humble  and 
contrite  heart.  I  recommend  my  last  hour,  and 
all  that  shall  follow,  into  thy  hands. 

When  my  inmiovable  feet  will  warn  me 
that  my  course  in  this  life  will  soon  be  fin- 
ished. 

When  my  eye'«,  obscured  at  the  approach 
of  deatli,  shall  cast  their  dying  looks  to- 
wards thee. 

When  my  lips,  cold  and  trembling:,  will 
pronoufice,  for  the  last  time,  thy  adorable 
name, 

When  my  pale  and  livid  cheeks  will  in- 
spire the  beholders  with  compassion, 

When  the  cold  sweat  of  death  will  an- 
nounce my  aiiproachinir  end,  ■ 

When  my  ears  shall  be  about  to  close  to  '   5^ 


every  human  voice,  and  open  only  to  hear 
the  irrevocable  sentence  of  thy  justice,  which 
shall  separate  me  from  the  number  of  the 
living. 

When  my  imagination,  agitated  by  dark 
and  terrifying  phantoms,  will  be  plunged  in 
cruel  sadness. 

When  my  mind,  troubled  at  the  sight  of 
my  iniqu  tics,  and  by  the  fear  of  thy  justice, 
shall  co(it<'hd  with  the  angel  of  darkness, 
who  would  hide  thy  mercies  from  me,  and 
cairt  me  into  despair, 


BONA   MORS. 


329 


"When  my  weak  heart,  overpowered  by') 
the  pains  of  sickness,  will  be  seized  with 
the  horrors  of  cUath, 

When  I  shall  be  surrounded  by  my  rela- 
tives and  friends,  lamenting  my  sad  condi- 
tion, and  offerina;  up  to  thee  their  supplica- 
tions in  my  behalf, 

When  I  shall  shed  my  last  tears,  the  fore- 
runners of  my  dissolution,  receiving  them  as 
a  tribute  of  jjenance, 

AVhen  I  shall  have  lost  the  use  of  my 
senses,  and  the  whole  world  shall  disappear 
from  my  view, 

When  ihe  last  sighs  of  my  heart  shall  , 
force  my  soul  from  my  body,  accepting  them 
as   expressive  of  a  holy   impatience  to  be 
thine. 

When  my  soul  shall  be  on  my  lips,  de- 
parting from  this  world,  and  shall  leave  my 
body  cold  and  lifeless,  accepting  the  destruc- 
tion of  my  being  as  a  homage  paid  to  thy 
divine  majt-sty. 

When  ray  soul  shall  appear  before  thee, 
and  for  the  first  titne  behold  the  glory  of  thy 
countenance,  O  that  it  may  not  be  then  cast 
from  thee,  but  that  it  may  be  received  into 
the  bosom  of  thy  mercy,  to  sing  thy  praises 
for  ever. 

Let  us  pray. 

O  God  !  who  condemning  us  to  death,  hast 
concealed  from  us  the  moment  of  its  occur- 
rence, a:rant  that,  spending  all  the  days  of  our 
lives  in  justice  and  holiness,  we  may  have 
the  happiness  to  breathe  our  last  in  thy  love , 
through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 


330 


THE    SCAPULAR. 

The  Scapular  was  instituted  by  St  Simon 
Stock,*  in  1245,  and  became  from  that  time 
the  badge  of  the  order  of  Mount  Carmel.j 

St,  Simon  Stock,  soon  after  he  was  pro- 
moted to  the  dignity  of  general,  instituted  this 
confraternity,  to  unite  the  devout  clients  of 
the  blessed  Virgin  in  certain  regular  exer- 
cises of  religion  and  piety.  Several  Carmel- 
ite writers  assure  us  that  he  was  a  monished 
by  the  Mothef  of  God,  in  a  vision  with  which 
he  was  favored,  on  the  16th  of  July,  to  estab- 
lish this  devotion.  This  confraternity  has 
been  approved  and  favored  with  many  privi- 
leges, by  several  ])opes.  (See  bulls  of  Pius 
V,  Clement  VIll,  Clement  X.  See  also,  tor 
an  account  of  his  history  and  life,  Alban 
Butler's  Lives  of  the  Saints,  May  16th.) 

The  great  feast  of  the  Rosary  is  celebrated 
the  first  Sunday  in  October,  for  an  eternal  and 
grateful  commemoration  of  that  most  remark- 
able and  altogether  miraculous  naval  victory 
gained  over  the  Turks,  by  a  handful  of  Chris- 

*  So  called  from  his  performing  the  most  rigorous 
morlifications  on  himself  in  the  hollow  or  stock  of  mi 
old  oak  tree,  which  he  made  his  residence.  Ai  tli;»! 
time  <  hristiaii.s  would  not  ^et  down  such  mortifica- 
tion as  foil)',  or  call  it  shameful. 

[Hence  Uie  title  of  Carmelites. 


THE    SCAPULAR.  331 

t(«ns,  in  the  Bay  of  Lepanto,  upon  the  7th  of 
October,  which  was  then  the  first  Sunday  in 
that  month  in  the  year  1571,  about  the  end  of 
Pius  Quintus'  popedom,  who  was  the  zealous 
promoter  of  this  holy  war,  and  had  at  Rome 
a  revelation  of  that  victory  the  very  moment 
it  happened  in  the  Gulf  of  Lepanto,  though 
more  than  four  hundred  miles  distant. 

The  infidels  lost,  besides  the  great  bashaw 
and  their  principal  officers,  thirty  thousand 
men  killed,  upwards  of  three  hundred  galleys 
v/ere  taken,  burnt,  or  sunk ;  three  hundred 
and  seventy-two  pieces  of  cannon  were 
tjiken ;  amongst  the  prodigious  number  of 
prisoners  they  made,  were  two  nephews  of 
tlie  grand  signior,  besides  twenty  thousand 
Christians  freed  from  slavery,  whom  they 
found  in  chains  on  board  the  Turkish  fleet, 
and  the  Catholic  cause  asserted  from  most 
imminent  danger  and  calamity.  The  pope 
Greg.  XIII,  in  his  Bull  Monet  Jlposiolus  zXixi- 
butes  this  great  victory  to  the  prayers  of  the 
devout  Rosarists,  w^ho  at  that  very  time  vt^ere 
making  their  public  processions  in  the  seve- 
ral parts  of  Christendom  for  this  end,  and  im- 
ploring most  earnestly  the  divme  assistance, 
by  the  intercession  of  this  powerful  Mother. 

Wherefore,  I  will  conclude  with  what  is 
related,  4  Kings  v,  13,  where  Naaman  the 
Syrian,  who  was  infected  with  leprosy,  was 
told  by  Eliseus,  the  prophet,  "  Go  and  wash 
in  Jordan  seven  times,  and  thou  shalt  be 
c^ean."  But  he,  contemning  to  follow  this 
advice,  as  a  thing  that  would  not  at  all  avail 


332  THE    SCAPULAR. 

him,  was  emphatically  exhorted  thereto  by 
his  servant,  in  this  manner*  If  the  prophet 
had  bid  thee  do  some  great  thing,  thou  ought- 
est  to  have  done  it;  how  much  rather,  then, 
when  he  saiih  to  thee,  wash  and  be  clean? 
I  say  the  same  at  present  concerning  the  sa- 
cred habit  of"  the  Scapular ;  if  our  blessed 
Lady  had  bid  us  do  some  great  thing,  we 
ought  to  do  it;  how  much  rather,  then,  when 
she  saith, "  Wear  my  livery  and  you  shall  not 
suffer  eternal  fire?"  If  she  had  enjoined  us 
to  make  great  abstinence;  to  undergo  some 
rigorous  moitification,  or  to  undertake  a  long 
and  tedious  pilgrimage,  with  this  condition, 
that  we  should  be  freed  from  eternal  damna- 
tion, from  the  torment  of  purgatory,  and  from 
the  many  dangerous  events  which  easily  do 
befall  us  in  this  life  ;  right  reason  would  dic- 
tate to  us  that  we  ought  to  attempt  any  thing 
for  the  obtaining  of  so  great  a  good:  how 
much  more,  then,  when  she  hath  annexed 
these  and  many  other  extraordinary  graces, 
to  the  reception  only  and  devout  wearing  of 
her  holy  habit  of  the  Scapular,  with  a  final 
confidence  in  her  powerful  protection  ;  but 
you  will  perhaps,  with  Naaman,  object,  what 
can  such  a  weak  thing  avail  us,  as  the  Scap- 
ular is?  To  tliis  1  answer,  with  the  apostle, 
1  Cor.  i,  27,  "The  weak  things  of  the  world 
hath  God  chosen,  that  he  might  confound  the 
strong.  "  He  hath  made  choice  of  the  weak 
element  of  vyater  1o  wasli  us  from  original 
sin,  which  is  so  deeply  indicated  in  us  by  the 
prevarication  of  our  first  father  Adam,  and  he 


THE    SCAPULAR.  333 

hath  made  use  of  the  weak  habit  of  the  Scap- 
ular, to  produce  those  excellent  effects  which 
are  mentioned  in  the  chapter  following. 

It  is  no  new  thing  to  Almighty  God  to  con- 
cur with  the  clothes  and  garments  of  saints 
in  order  to  the  effecting  of  i)rodigiou3  things 
The  mantle  of  our  holy  patriarch,  St.  Elias, 
divided  twice  the  water  of  Jordan,  4  Kings  2 
The  shadow  of  St.  Peter  did  cure  all  dis- 
eases. Acts  V,  15.  The  handkerchiefs  and 
napkins  of  St.  Paul  did  drive  away  evil  spir- 
its, and  heal  all  sorts  of  infirmities.  Acts  ix, 
12.  Nevertheless,  our  Saviour  did  never  so 
frequently  concur  with  the  relics  of  any 
saints,  to  the  effecting  of  such  like  things,  as 
he  hath  done  with  the  sacred  habit  of  his  Vir- 
gin Mother,  which  he  seems  to  have  made 
choice  of,  that  he  may  thereby  demonstrate  to 
the  world  both  the  C^icaciousness  of  her  in- 
tercession, and  the  height  of  her  merits  and 
glory.  For,  during  those  six  hundred  years, 
ever  since  the  time  of  St.  Simon  Stock,  most 
miraculous  and  extraordinary  things  have 
been,  and  daily  are  done  throughout  the  whole 
Christian  world,  by  the  intercession  of  the 
most  blessed  Virgin  Mary  of  Mount  Carmel, 
and  by  means  of  her  sacred  Scapular.  Where- 
fore, courteous  reader,  seeing  thou  bast  at 
hand  so  easy  and  efficacious  a  way  of  pro- 
moting both  thy  spiritual  and  temporal  good, 
thou  wilt,  if  thou  art  wise,  procure  forthwith 
to  make  use  of  it.  If  thou  dost  not,  it  can 
not  be  attributed  but  to  thy  negligence,  of 
that  impoitant  affair  of  thy  salvation,  wnich 


334  THE    SCAPULAR. 

thou  oughtest  principally  to  mind ;  and  il 
thou  comest  at  last  miserably  to  lose  thyself, 
Almighty  God  will  have  just  cause  to  objeci 
against  thee,  what  he  objected  against  the 
Israelites, — Osea  xiv,  9, — Thy  perdition  is 
from  thyself. 

Those  who  wear  it  should  imitate  the  life 
of  the  immaculate  Virgin,  and  emulate  her 
virtues,  particularly  her  purity,  humility,  and 
charity.  The  Scapular  should  be  worn  around 
tlie  neck,  and  if  worn  out  or  lost,  the  person 
may  get  another :  the  same  is  allowed  to 
those  who  have  for  a  length  of  time  aban- 
doned the  order.  The  second  need  not  be 
blessed. 

The  Scapular  imposes  no  obligation  on  its 
wearers  under  pain  of  sin,  but  in  order  to  be 
entitled  to  the  special  protection  of  the  blessed 
Virgin  ;  to  a  participation  in  the  meritorious 
acts  of  the  Carmelites,  (the  prayers,  alms, 
fastings,  &,c.  of  the  whole  body  all  over  the 
world,)  and  to  the  indulgences  attached,  it 
is  necessary  to  be  received  into  the  order  by 
a  priest  duly  authorized — to  wear  the  Scapu- 
lar constantly,  and  to  be  registered  on  the 
book  of  the  confraternity. 


The  Form  of  offering  oneself  to  the  B.  Virgin 
Mary  to  be  admitted  into  her  Confraternily . 

Thrice,  sacred  Virgin  Mary,  Mother  of 
God,  1,  N.  N.,  though  most  unworthy  to  be 
registered  amongst  your  servants,  (yet  moved 


THE    SCAPULAR.  335 

by  that  goodness  which  the  angels  admire  in 
you  to  an  ardent  desire  of  honoring,  loving, 
atid  serving  you,)  do  here  this  day,  with  all 
possible  humility,  sincerity  and  devotion,  (in 
the  presence  of  my  angel  guardian,  and  the 
whole  court  of  heaven,)  make  a  choice  of 
you  for  my  singular  Lady,  advocate,  and 
Mother  ;  firmly  purposing  to  honor,  love,  and 
serve  you,  with  all  filial  duty,  diligence,  and 
fidelity  :  and  to  procure  (as  much  as  it  shall 
lie  in  my  power)  that  all  others  may  do  the 
same.  I  therefore  most  heartly  beseech 
you,  O  most  merciful  and  compassionate  Mo- 
ther !  by  the  precious  blood  which  your  dearly 
beloved  Son,  my  blessed  Saviour,  shed  for 
me  in  his  bitter  passion,  that  you  will  be  gra- 
ciously pleased  to  receive,  and  admit  me  into 
the  number  of  your  devout  clients,  as  one 
devoted  to  your  perpetual  service. 

Be  thou  favorable  to  me,  O  blessed  Lady, 
an(t  obtain  for  me  of  your  all-powerful  Son, 
that  1  may  so  behave  myself,  in  all  my 
thoughts,  words,  and  actions,  as  never  more 
to  think,  speak,  or  act  any  thing  displeasing 
to  his  sacred  Majesty, 

Grant,  furthermore,  O  my  good  and  gra- 
cious Mother !  that  I  may  never  forget  you, 
nor  forfeit  this,  my  now  made  promise  of 
honoring,  loving,  and  serving  you  all  the 
days  of  my  life.  That  so  1  may  never  be 
forgotten,  forsaken,  nor  abandoned  by  you; 
out  be  always  protected,  aided,  and  assisted 
bv  you,  especially  in  the  hoiLi  of  my  death 
Amen. 


336  PRAYERS    or    ST.  BRIDGET. 

Let  ?fs  Pray. 

O  God,  who  didst  instruct  the  hearts  of 
the  faithful  by  the  ilhunination  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  f^rant  that,  by  the  same  Spirit,  we 
may  have  a  right  uuderstanding  in  all  things, 
and  evermore  rejoice  in  this  holy  consolation, 
through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  &:c.     Jmen 

O  most  blessed  and  adorable  Jesus,  who 
in  thy  mercy  art  pleased  to  inspire  this  thy 
servant  to  enrol  himself  amongst  the  devout 
clients  of  thy  glorious  virgin  Mother,  grant 
him  and  us  so  to  persevere  in  thy  love  and 
service,  that  after  we  finish  the  course  of  thig 
miserable  life,  we  may  come  to  sing  thy 
praises  for  all  eternity.     Amen. 


THE  PRAYERS  OF  ST.  BRIDGET. 

To  be  said  in  honor  of  the  sacred  wounds  of  our 
blessed  Saviour. 

O  MOST  benign  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  eternal 
happiness  of  those  who  love  thee,  joy  above 
desire,  firm  hope  of  the  hopeless,  solace  of  llie 
sorrowful,  and  luost  merciful  lover  of  ail  peni- 
tential sinners  ;  who  hast  said  that  thy  delight  ii 
to  be  with  the  sons  of  men,  for  the  love  of  whom 
thou  didst  assume  human  nature  in  the  fulness 
of  time  ;  remember  most  holy  Lord  Jesus,  all 
those  sharp  sorrov/s  which  then  pierced  fhy 
sacred  soul,  from  the  first  instant  of  thy  incarna- 
tion until  the  time  of  thy  solitary  passion,  pre- 


PRAYERS    OF   ST.    BRIDGET.  337 

ordained  from  all  eternity ;  remember,  O  most 
amiable  Saviour,  all  those  bitter  anguishes  thou 
didst  aufl'er,  when  at  thy  last  supper  thou  didst 
wash  the  feet  of  thy  disciples,  didst  feed  them 
with  the  sacred  banquet  of  thy  precioiis  body 
Rud  blood,  and  most  sweetly  comforting  them, 
didst  foretell  them  thy  ensuing  passion;  aftei 
which,  going  to  3Ioimt  Olivet,  thou  saidst.  My 
toul  is  sorrowful  unto  death;  remember,  I  be- 
seech thee,  O  most  benign  Saviour,  the  bittei 
grief  and  anguish  which  thy  sacred  soul  did  suf- 
fer, when  praying  three  several  times  to  thy 
heavenly  Father,  thou  didst  sweat  water  and 
blood,  thou  wert  betrayed  by  thy  own  disciple, 
apprehended  by  thy  people,  accused  by  false  wit- 
nesses, unjustly  judged  by  three  judges,  and  in 
thy  elected  city,  in  the  paschal  solemnity,  in 
the  flourishing  age  of  thy  youth,  wert  wrong- 
fully condemned,  bound,  beaten,  spurned,  spit 
upon,  stripped  of  thy  own  garments,  and  clothed 
with  others  in  scorn;  wert  blindfolded,  buffeted, 
spit  upon  again,  bound  naked  to  a  pillar,  most 
cruelly  scourged,  crowned  with  thorns,  struck 
with  "a  reed,  and  afflicted  with  innumerable  tor- 
ments, pains  and  injuries.  O  merciful  Lord 
Jesus,  by  the  memory  and  merit  of  all  these 
bitter  pains  and  anguishes  before  thy  expiralioa 
on  the  cross,  vouchsafe  to  grant  me  before  my 
death,  true  contrition,  entire  confession,  a  flow- 
ing fountain  of  tears,  full  satisfaction,  and  plen- 
ary remission  of  all  my  sins.     Amen. 

O  most  gracious  Lord  Jesus,  be  propitious  to 
me  a  sinner.     Pater  Noster.     Ave  Maria. 

II. 

O   MOST   merciful    Lord  Jesus,   true  joy  of 
angels,  and  the  light  of  the  world,  remember,  I 
beseech  thee,  that  grief  and  sorrow  which  thou 
22 


338  PRAYERS    OF   ST.   BRIDGET. 

didst  suffer,  when  thy  cruel  enemies,  like  fierce 
lions,  with  furious  and  dreadful  looks,  compass- 
ing thee  round  ahout,  did  pull  off  thy  hair,  spit 
upon  thy  sacred  lace,  tear,  beat,  and  buftVt  thee, 
and  with  all  manner  of  unheard-of  injuries,  out- 
rages, and  torments,  did  most  cruelly  and  basely 
blaspheme,  scorn,  and  affront  thee  :  O  most 
merciful  Lord  Jesus,  by  all  those  most  barbarous 
and  inhuman  outrages  which  thou  didst  sutler, 
vouchsafe  to  deliver  me  from  all  my  enemies, 
visible  and  invisible;  that  protected  under  tlva 
shadow  of  (by  wings,  I  may  safely  arrive  at  the 
port  of  eternal  glory.     Amen. 

O  most  gracious  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  be  propi- 
tious to  me  a  sinner.    Pater  Noster.    Ave  Maria. 

III. 

O  MOST  merciful  Lord  Jesus,  omnipotent 
Creator  of  the  world,  and  Redeemer  of  man- 
kind, who  containest  both  heaven  and  earth  in 
thy  hands,  and  whose  immensity  no  bounds  can 
limit;  remember,  I  beseech  thee,  the  bitter 
pains  and  anguishes  which  thou  didst  endure, 
when  the  perfidious  Jews  pierced  thy  delicate 
and  tender  hands  and  feet,  with  most  rough  and 
blunt  nails,  stretching  them  forth  so  violently 
with  cords,  to  the  holes  which  they  had  mado 
in  the  cross;  thus  they  heaped  dolor  upon  do- 
lor, most  cruelly  disjointing  all  thy  bones, 
breaking  al!  thy  veins,  and  renewing  all  thy 
sacred  wounds.  O  merciful  sweet  Jesus,  by  the 
memory  of  these  thy  pains  and  toinients  on 
tlie  cross,  vouchsafe  to  give  me  thy  fear  and 
love,  with  perfect  charity  towards  my  neighboi* 
Jimen. 

O  most  merciful  Lord  Jesus,  be  pro]»itiou9  to 
me  a  sinner      Pater  Noster.     Ave  W aria. 


PRAYERS   OF  ST.   BRIDGET.  339 

IV. 

O  MY  merciful  Lord  Jesus,  heavenly  physi- 
cian of  human  nature,  and  eternal  king,  renaeiti- 
»er,  I  beseech  thee,  all  those  bitter  pains  and 
torments  which  thou  didst  endure  in  thy  sacred 
(vounds,  who  being  suspended  by  nails  on  the 
cross,  with  all  thy  precious  body  rent  and  torn, 
ftU  thy  bones  being  so  disjointed  that  not  one 
remained  in  its  right  place,  no.  having  from  the 
crown  of  thy  head  unto  the  soles  of  thy  feet,  any 
part  left  whole;  so  that  no  dolor  could  be  com- 
pared to  thine ;  at  which  time  being  unmindful 
of  thy  own  torments,  thou  didst  mercifully  pray 
to  thy  heavenly  Father,  for  thy  cruel  enemies, 
saying,  "  Father,  forgive  them,  for  they  know 
not  what  they  do  !"  O  most  meek  and  merciful 
Lord  Jesus,  by  this  thy  admirable  benignity, 
goodness,  love  and  mercy,  and  by  all  thy  bitter 
pains  and  torments,  grant  that  the  memory  of 
thy  dolorous  passion  may  be  to  me  a  most  pow- 
erful protection,  both  of  soul  and  body,  against 
all  th^  deceits,  temptations,  and  molestations  of 
tlie  devil,  my  cruel  enemy.     Amen. 

O  most  merciful  Lord  Jesus,  be  propitious  to 
me  a  sinner. 

V. 

O  MOST  benign  Lord  Jesus,  mirror  of  eternal 
brightness  and  wisdom  of  the  omnipotent  Father, 
remember  the  bitter  grief  and  sorrow  thy  sacred 
soul  did  feel,  when  beholding  in  the  clear  mirror 
of  thy  divine  prescience,  the  predestination  of 
th}'  elect,  who  through  the  merits  of  thy  most 
wholesome  passion  were  to  be  saved,  and  the 
reprobation  of  the  wicked,  who  for  their  ingrati- 
tude were  to  be  damned,  and  the  abyss  of  thy 
immense  mercy  by  which  thou  didst  commise- 
rate and  shed  tears  for  us  miserable  lost,  forlorn 


340  PRAYERS   or   ST.  BRIDGET. 

sinners,  and  chiefly  by  that  mercy  which  thou 
tiidst  show  to  the  thief  upoa  the  cross,  saying  to 
him,  this  day  thou  shalt  be  with  me  in  paradise. 
I  beseech  thee,  O  most  clement  Lord  Jesus,  my 
Lord  and  my  God,  to  show  the  like  mercy  unto 
me,  now  and  at  the  hour  of  my  death.  Amen 
O  most  merciful  Lord  Jesus,  be  merciful  unti 
me  a  sinner.     Pater  Noster.     Ave  Maria. 

VI. 

O  MOST  benign  Lord  Jesus,  omnipotent  kin» 
of  heaven  and  earth,  remember  the  bitter  griel 
and  sorrow  thy  sacred  soul  did  suffer,  when 
being  forsaken  of  thy  friends  and  acquaintance, 
thou  didst  hang  naked,  rent,  and  torn,  upon  the 
cross  ;  few  remained  to  comfort  or  compassionate 
thee,  but  the  glorious  Virgin  Mary,  thy  mother, 
who  standing  under  the  cross,  in  the  bitterness 
of  her  soul  accompanied  tliee  in  all  thy  tor- 
ments ;  unto  whom  thou  didst  commend  thy 
beloved  disciple,  St.  John,  in  thy. place,  saying 
unto  her,  Woman,  behold  thy  Son  ;  and  after  tc 
thy  disciple.  Behold  thy  Mother.  O  most  be- 
nign  Lord  Jesus,  by  that  sword  of  sorrow  which 
did  then  transpierce  her  sacred  soui,  and  by  the 
tender  love  and  compassion  wherewith  thou 
didst  behold  the  grief  and  anguish  of  thy  sorrow- 
ful mother,  have  pity  and  compassion  on  me,  I 
beseech  thee,  ray  dearest  Lord,  and  mercifully 
help,  comfort,  succor,  and  assist  me  in  all  my 
tribulations,  adversities,  necessities,  sorrows 
and  sufferings,  both  spiritual  and  corporal.  Amen. 

O  most  merciful  Lord  Jesus,  be  propitious  tu 
cie  a  sinner.     Pater  Noster.     Ave  Maria. 
VII. 

O  MOST  merciful   Lord  Jesus,  crown  of  joy 
treasure  of  felicity,  sweet  source  of  consolatioa 


PRAYERS    OF   ST     BRIDGET.  341 

Bnd  unexhausted  fountain  of  mercy,  who  hang- 
ing upon  the  cross,  out  of  the  most  inflamed  de- 
sire thou  hadst  of  the  salvation  of  our  souls, 
saidst,  I  thirst,  viz.  for  the  redemption  of  man- 
kind ;  O  good  Lord,  by  this  thy  ardent  charity, 
inflame  our  hearts  with  thy  holy  love,  enkindle 
our  desires  to  accomplish  diligently  all  good 
works,  and  wholly  extinguish  the  heat  of  all 
evil  concupiscence  and  worldly  afiections  in  me. 
Amen, 

O  most  merciful  Lord  Jesus,  be  propitious  to 
me  a  sinner.     Pater  Noster.     Ave  iWaria. 

VIII. 

O  MOST  merciful  Lord  Jesus,  true  light  of 
those  that  believe  in  thee,  comfort  of  hearts,  and 
sovereign  solace  of  all  the  faithful  souls,  by  that 
bitter  gall  and  vinegar  thou  didst  taste  for  us 
upon  the  cross  at  the  hour  of  thy  death ;  grant 
to  us,  miserable  sinners,  grace  worthily  to  re- 
ceive frequently,  and  particularly  at  the  hour  of 
our  derfth,  thy  most  precious  body  and  blood, 
that  by  the  virtue  of  this  divine  banquet,  and  all 
other  salutary  sacraments,  we  may  be  preserved 
from  all  evils,  sins  and  punishments,  and,  re- 
plenished with  all  joy,  securely  appear  in  thy 
divine  presence.     Amen. 

O  most  merciful  Lord  Jesus,  be  propitious  to 
me  a  sinner.     Pater  Noster.     Ave  Maria. 

IX. 

O  MOST  merciful  Lord  Jesus,  true  God  and 
man,  remember,  I  beseech  thee,  those  excessive 
pains  and  anguishes  thou  didst  endure  for  us  upon 
the  cross,  when  through  the  bitterness  of  death, 
and  the  impious  blasphemies,  derisions,  scorns 
and  reproaches  of  the  Jews,  with  a  loud  voice 


342  PRAYERS    OF   ST.    BRIDGET. 

and  weeping  eyes,  thou  didst  cry  to  thy  hea- 
venly Father,  with  this  sad  complaint,  Eloi, 
Eloi,  lamma  sabacthani?  that  is  to  say,  Mp 
God,  my  God,  why  hast  thou  forsaken  me?  O 
most  merciful  Lord  Jesus,  by  thy  bitter  torment, 
sorrow,  grief,  and  anguish,  vouchsafe,  I  beseech 
thee,  to  have  pity  on  me,  and  succor  me  in  all 
my  sorrows,  sufferances,  and  tribulations,  and 
particularly  at  the  hour  of  my  death:  O  then, 
my  gracious  Lord  and  my  God,  vouchsafe  to 
assist  and  succor  me,  and  not  forsake  me,  I  be- 
seech thee.     Amen. 

O  most  gracious  Lord  Jesus,  be  propitious  to 
me  a  sinner.     Pater  Noster.     Ave  Maria. 

X. 

O  MOST  sacred  Lord  Jesus,  Alpha  and  Omega, 
the  beginning  and  end  of  all  things,  and  mirror 
of  virtues,  remember  how  from  the  crown  of  thy 
head  to  thy  feet,  thou  wert  immerged  in  tho 
deluge  of  thy  dolorous  passion,  for  the  love  of  U3 
vile  sinners.  O  most  benign  Lord  Jesus,  by  the 
numberless  multitude  of  thy  sacred  wounds,  take 
from  me  the  love  of  the  world,  and  teach  me  by 
a  true  and  perfect  charity,  always  to  keep  thy 
holy  laws  and  commandments^.    Amen. 

O  most  meek  Lord  Jesus,  be  propitious  to  me 
a  sinner.     Pater  Noster.     Ave  Maria. 

XI. 

O  MOST  benign  Lord  Jesus,  sovereign  good- 
ness, eternal  beatitude  of  thy  saints,  and  most 
profound  abyss  of  mercy,  by  thy  deep  and  dulor- 
ous  wounds,  which  did  not  only  transpierce  thy 
eacred  tlcsh,  but  even  thy  bowels,  and  the  mar- 
row of  thy  bones,  be  merciful  to  me  a  miserable 
sinner,  who  now  am  drowned  in  my  sins  and 
iuiqiiities,  and  bide  me  in  thy  sacred  wounds 


PRAYERS    OF   ST.   BRIDGET,  343 

from  the  face  of  thy  wrath,  until  thy  indignation 
be  past  mid  appeased.     Amen. 

O  most  humble  Lord  Jesus,  be  propitious  to 
me  a  sinner.     Pater  Noster      Ave  Maria. 

XII. 

O  MOST  meek  Lord  Jesus,  mirror  of  all  vir- 
tues, pledge-  of  unity,  and  bund  of  charity;  re- 
member tue  innumerable  multitude  of  ail  those 
painful  wounds  wht-rewith  thou  wert  covered 
from  head  to  foot,  all  thy  holy  body  most  cruelly 
rent  and  torn  by  the  impious  and  most  dreadful 
dolors  thou  didst  endure  for  us  vile  sinners  ;  O 
most  gracious  Lord,  engrave  these  thy  dolors 
deeply  in  my  heart,  that  in  them  I  may  always 
read  thy  love  and  anguish;  so  that  the  memory 
of  thy  painful  passion  may  daily  be  renewed  in 
me,  and  my  love  increased  towards  thee,  and  I 
remain  perpetually  thankful  to  thy  immense 
charity  to  the  last  period  of  my  life,  until  I  come 
to  eiijoy  thee,  my  only  dear  Lord;  and  most 
desired  treasure,  abounding  with  ali  joy  and 
felicity,  which  through  thy  goodness  be  pleased 
to  ~rant,  O  most  meek  Lord  Jesus.     Amen. 

O  most  gracious  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  be  propi- 
tious to  me  a  sinner.   Pater  Noster.   Ave  Maria. 

XIII. 
O  MOST  holy  Lord  Jesus,  most  victorious,  it>- 
vincible,  triumphant,  and  immortal  king,  re- 
member, I  beseech  thee,  all  the  bitter  pains  and 
anguishes  thou  didst  endure,  when  all  the  forces 
of  thy  h.'art  and  body  failing,  bowing  down  thy 
sacred  head,  thou  saidst.  It  is  consummated ;  O 
moit  patient  Lord,  by  these  thy  dying  dolors, 
have  mercy  on  me  at  my  last  passage  when  my 
heart  and  soul  shall  be  iu  anguish  and  anxiety. 
Amen. 


344  PRAYERS    OF    ST.    BRIDGET. 

O  most  patient  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  be  propi 
tiouB  to  me  a  sinner.   Pater  Noster.   Ave  Maria 

XIV. 

O  MOST  benign  Jesus,  only  begotten  Son  of 
the  eternal  Father,  figure  of  his  substance, 
splendor  of  his  glory ;  remember  that  most 
earnest  recommendation  wherewith  thou  didst 
commend  thy  most  sacred  soul  to  thy  omnipf> 
tent  Father  upon  the  cross,  saying,  Father,  into 
thy  hands  I  commend  my  spirit;  at  which  tirjie 
thou  didst  hang  nailed  upon  a  cross,  and  thy 
most  holy  body  all  over  wounded,  rent,  and 
torn,  pouring  forth  streams  of  thy  most  precious 
blood,  with  thy  face  pale  and  wan,  thy  head 
crowned  with  thorns,  thy  arms  extended,  thy 
hands  nailed,  thy  veins  broken,  thy  bones  dis- 
jointed, thy  bowels  of  mercy  opened,  thy  eyes 
weeping  and  obscured,  thy  voice  failing,  thy 
breath  thirsting,  and  thy  whole  heart  broken. 
O  my  most  merciful  Lord,  unto  all  those  cruel 
pains,  and  torments  didst  thou  deliver  thy  most 
sacred,  innocent,  tender,  pure,  and  precious 
body,  for  the  redemption  of  us  most  wretched, 
vile,  and  miserable  sinners,  and  in  this  manner 
renderedst  thy  precious  soul  to  thy  celestial  Fa- 
ther:  by  which  most  precious  and  innocent 
death  of  thine,  and  by  the  virtue  of  thy  holy 
cross,  I  beseech  thee,  O  Father  of  mercy,  and 
omnipotent  king  of  glory,  to  give  me  grace  to 
resist  the  world,  the  flesh,  and  the  devil,  that 
being  dead  to  all  terrestrial  things,  I  may  live 
to  thee  alone,  and  have  the  happmess  to  be  re- 
ceived by  thee  at  my  last  passage,  when  this 
toy  mis<rable  exile  shall  be  endrd.     Amen. 

O  most  pious  Lord  Jesus,  be  propitious  to  me 
a  siimer.     Pater  Noster,     Ave  Maria, 


PRAYERS  OF  ST.  BRIDGET.  345 

XV. 

O  MOST  benign  Lord  Jesus,  raost  flourishing, 
true,  and  faithful  vine,  remember  the  supera- 
bundant effusion  of  thy  precious  blood,  which 
thou  didst  pour  forth  so  plentifully  from  all  parts 
of  thy  sacred  body,  like  a  cluster  of  pressed 
grapes,  when  thou  thyself  alone  didst  tread  the 
wine-press,  on  the  cross,  and  out  of  thy  |>ierced 
side  didst  give  us  water  and  wine  to  d:  ink,  not 
leaving  so  much  as  one  drop  ;  and  all  this  to  save 
us  from  damnation.  O  most  benign  Lord  Jesus, 
by  this  mo»t  liberal  effusion  of  thy  precious 
blood,  by  thy  bitter  death  and  passion,  and  al] 
thy  sacred  wounds,  vouchsafe  to  wound  my 
heart  with  that  tend°r  love  wherewith  the  holy 
heart  of  thy  most  blessed  mother  was  wounded 
under  the  cross,  that  tears  of  love  and  penance 
may  be  my  bread,  day  and  night;  and  convert 
me  wholly  to  thee,  that  thy  heart  may  be  my 
perpetual  habitation,  ray  conversation  pleasing 
and  acceptable  to  thy  divine  majesty,  and  at  the 
end  of  my  life  so  laudable,  that  having  finished 
this  mortal  pilgrimage,  I  may  be  admitted  into 
immortal  glory,  to  praise  and  glorify  thee,  ray 
sovereign  Lord,  in  the  blessed  society  of  thy 
holy  angols  and  saints,  to  all  eternity.     Amen. 

O  most  gracious  Lord  Jesus,  be  propitious  to 
me  a  sinner.     Pater  Noster.     Ave  .\laria. 

O  MOST  merciful  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  Son  of 
the  living  God,  vouchsafe  to  receive  these 
prayers,  in  union  of  that  most  excellent  love, 
ivherewith  ihou  didst  suffer  all  the  woimds  of 
thy  most  precious  body,  and  be  merciful  to  me 
thy  poor  and  unworthy  servant,  arid  all  sinners, 
with  all  faithful  souls  both  living  and  di>ad,  gra- 
ciously granting  to  us  all,  mercy,  grace,  remis* 
siou  of  sins,  and  life  everlasting.     Amen, 


346 
PRAYERS 

FOR     DIFFERENT     OCCASIONS 

A  Prayer  to  be  said  daily  by  those  who  caj-rf 
about  them  an  Agnus  DcL 

O  MY  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the  true  Lamb  that 
takest  away  the  sins  of  the  world,  by  thy  mer- 
cy, which  is  infinite,  pardon  ray  iniquities,  and 
by  thy  sacred  passion  preserve  me  this  day 
from  all  sin  and  evil.  I  carry  about  me  this 
holy  Agnus  Dei  in  thy  honor,  as  a  preservative 
against  my  own  weakness,  and  as  an  incentive 
to  the  ])ractice  of  meekness,  humility,  and  inno- 
cence, which  thou  hast  tau«;ht.  I  offer  myself 
up  to  thee  as  an  entire  oblation,  and  in  memory 
of  that  sacrifice  of  love  thou  otferedst  for  me  on 
the  cross,  and  in  satisfaction  for  my  sins.  Ac- 
cept, O  my  God,  the  oblation  I  make,  and  may 
it  be  agreeable  to  thee  in  the  odor  of  sweetness. 


Prayer  of  St.  Bernard  to  the  B.  V.  Mary. 

Remember,  O  most  pious  Virgin  Mary,  that 
no  one  ever  had  recourse  to  thy  protection,  im- 
plored thy  help,  or  sought  thy  mediaiion,  with- 
out obtaining  relief.  Confiding,  then,  on  t' 
goodness  and  mercy,  I  cast  myself  at  thy  sacred 
feet,  and  do  most  humbly  supplicate  thee,  O 
Mother  of  the  eternal  Word  !  to  adopt  me  as 
thy  cliild,  and  take  upon  thyself  the  care  of  my 
salvation.  O  let  it  not  be  said,  my  dearest  mo- 
ther, that  I  iiave  perished  where  no  one  evei 
found  but  graee  and  salvatiop      Amen. 


PRAYERS.  347 

For  one^s  Confessor. 

Hear,  O  adorable  Saviour,  my  humble  prayer 
in  behalf  of  him  whom  thou  hast  appointed  to  be 
my  spiritual  guide  throuo:h  the  difficulties  that 
beset  my  path.  As  I  desire  to  hear  in  his  voice 
the  expression  of  thy  holy  will  in  my  regard, 
enlighten  him  with  thy  holy  inspiration  ;  make 
him  a  worthy  minister  of  thy  altar,  a  priest  ac- 
cording to  thy  heart  ;  that  his  advice  may  urge 
me  to  the  i)erformance  of  the  duties  incumbent 
on  m.e  as  thy  child,  and  finally  lead  me  tu  ever- 
lasting happiness.  Give  him  that  peace  which 
the  world  can  not  give  ;  bestow  on  him  an  ar- 
dent love  for  thee,  and  a  tender  confidence  ia 
thy  Virgin  Mother.  Grant  that  he  may  faith 
fully  discharge  all  the  duties  of  his  exalted  sta- 
tion;  and  be  thou,  O  amiable  Jesus,  his  exceed- 
ing great  reward  during  all  eternity.  I  ask 
these  favors  of  thee  for  him  through  the  power- 
ful intercession  of  IMary,  thy  spotless  and  ever 
blessed  Mother. 


For  the  souls  in  purgatory 

O  God,  whose  goodness  and  mercy  are  un- 
bounded, listen  to  the  prayers  we  offer  thee  in 
hehalf  of  our  suffering  brethren  of  purgatory,  O 
bountiful  Jesus,  who  upon  the  cross  didst  shed 
the  last  drop  of  thy  blood  for  the  redemption  of 
mankind,  look  with  compassion  upon  the  suffer- 
ings of  these  dear  souls.  Let  some  drops  of  that 
firecious  blood  flow  upon  them,  and  purify  their 
east  stains,  and  extinguish  the  devouring  flames 
in  which  they  are  plunged.  Deliver  tht  m,  O 
merciful  JeSus,  from  that  place  of  darkness  and 


348  PRAYERS. 

tortures;,  and  receive  them  immediately  into  thy 

f>atenial  bosom,  there  to  behold  and  praise  and 
ove  thee  for  all  eternity.     Amen. 


For  the  conversion  Of  sinners  and  of  those 
separated  from  the  church. 

Almighty  and  most  merciful  Father,  who  hold- 
est  in  thy  hiiuds  the  destinies  of  thy  creatures, 
and  who  desirest  not  the  death  of  the  sinner,  but 
rather  that  he  be  converted  and  live,  hearken  to 
the  humble  petition  which  I  offer  to  thee  in  be- 
half of  those  who  are  separated  from  thee  by  a 
sinful  life,  or  remain  out  of  thy  church  which 
thou  hast  commanded  all  to  obey  \mder  pain  of 
incurring  thy  displeasure.  Grant  that  all  may 
forsake  their  evil  ways,  and  serve  thee  faith- 
fully to  the  end.  Enlighten  those  who  belong 
not  to  thy  fold,  open  their  eyes  to  a  knowledge 
of  thy  truth,  and  give  them  grace  and  courage  to 
embrace  it.  Grant  them  patience  under  the 
suiferings  they  may  have  to  endure  for  thy  sake  ; 
and  guide  them  through  the  thorny  path  of  this 
world  to  the  endless  happiness  of  the  world  to 
come.  I  ask  these  favors  of  thee,  O  merciful 
Father,  through  the  merits  of  thy  adorable  Son, 
and  through  the  intercession  of  his  spotless  Mo- 
ther.    Amen. 

Our  Father- -Hail  Mary. 


2b  know  our  vocation. 

O  Almighty  God!  whose  wise  and  loving 
providence  watclies  over  every  human  event, 
deign  to  be  my  light  and  my  counsel  in  all  my 


pa  A  VERS.  349 

undertakings,  particularly  in  the  choice  of  a  state 
of  life.  On  this  important  step  my  sanctification 
and  salvation,  in  a  great  measure,  depend,  and  I 
am  not  capable  of  discerning  what  may  be  best 
for  me  ;  therefore  I  cast  myself  into  thy  arms, 
beseeching  thee,  my  God  !  who  hast  sent  me 
into  this  world  only  to  love  and  serve  thee,  to 
direct  every  action  of  my  life  to  the  glorious  end 
of  my  creation.  1  renounce  most  sincerely  every 
other  wish,  than  to  fulfil  thy  designs  on  my  soul, 
whatever  they  may  be  ;  and  I  pray  thee  to  give 
me  grace  to  imbibe  the  true  spirit  of  a  Christian, 
that  I  may  qualify  myself  for  any  station  which 
thy  adorable  providence  may  assign  to  me.  O 
my  God !  whenever  it  will  be  my  duty  to  make 
a  choice,  vouchsafe,  in  thy  mercy,  to  "make 
the  way  known  to  me,  wherein  i  should  walk, 
for  I  have  lifted  up  my  soul  to  thee."  Preserve 
me  from  Listening  to  the  suggestions  of  self-love, 
or  worldly  prudence,  in  opposition  to  thy  holy 
inspirations.  "  Teach  me  to  do  thy  will,  for 
thou  art  my  God,  and  my  lots  are  in  thy  hands. 
Show,  O  Lord!  thy  ways  to  me,  and  teach  me 
thy  paths.  Lead  rae  in  the  eternal  way,"  to 
which  thou  hast  called  me  "from  my  mother's 
womb."  May  thy  all-ruling  providence  place 
me,  not  where  I  might  be  happiest,  according  to 
the  world,  but  where  I  shall  love  and  serve  thee 
most  perfectly,  meet  with  most  abundant  means 
to  work  out  my  salvation,  and  enjoy  that  peace 
"which  the  world  can  not  give."  This  is  all 
that  I  ask;  for  what  would  it  avail  rae  to  gain 
the  whole  world,  if  in  the  end  I  were  to  lose  my 
soul,  by  being  so  unfortunate  as  to  prefer  tempo- 
ral advantages  to  the  eternal  enjoyment  of  ihj 
divine  presence  in  heaven? 


350  PRAYERS. 

To  our  Angel  Guardian.* 

Angelof  God,  who  art  my  guardian,  watch  oveii 
Die,  whom  the  divine  goodness  hath  committcfl 
to  thy  care ;  enlighten,  direct,  and  govern  me 


To  our  Patron  Saint. 

Great  St.  N.,  who  at  my  baptism  wast  chosen 
as  a  guardian  and  witness  of  my  obligaiious,  ana 
under  whose  name  I  then  became  the  adopted 
chihl  of  God,  and  solemnly  renounced  Satan,  his 
works  and  pomps,  assist  me  by  thy  powerful  in- 
tercession in  the  fulfilment  of  these  sacred  pro- 
raises.  Thou,  too,  didst  make  them  in  the  days 
of  thy  earthly  pilgrimage,  and  ihy  fidelity  in 
keeping  them  to  the  end  has  obtained  for  thee 
an  •' unfading  crown  of  glory."  I  am  called  to 
the  same  happiness  that  thou  enjoyest ;  the  siimo 
assistance  is  oU'ered  to  mc  that  enabled  thee  to 
acquire  it;  temptations,  similar  to  those  which 
I  experience,  tliou  didst  overcome.  Pray  for 
me,  therefore,  O  my  holy  patron,  that  being  an- 
imated by  thy  example  1  may  courageously 
"  run  to  the  fight  proposed  to  mc,"  and,  with 
the  help  of  divine  grace,  "press  towards  the 
mark,  to  the  prize  of  the  supernal  vocation  oJ 
God  in  Christ  Jesus."     Amen. 

*  An  indulgence  of  one  hundred  days  is  granted  to 
tlie  faitliful  cveiy  time  ihty  recite  ihifi  prayer. 


M 


EXPLANATION  OF  THE  MASS. 


A.S  Mass  is  the  supreme  act  of  \vorsnip  in 
the  Catholic  church,  we  make  it  a  chief  ob- 
ject of  consideration  to  our  readers,  many  of 
whom,  we  have  reason  to  think,  know  nothing 
of  it  but  from  its  misrepresentation.  We 
deem  it,  therefore,  our  duty  to  lay  before  the 
lovers  of  truth  a  full,  fair,  and  faithful  expo- 
sition of  it. 
Thou  art  a  priest  for  ever,  according  to  the  order 

of  Melchisedech. — Ps.  cix,  4.  Heb.  v,  6. 

The  Mass  is  accounted  by  Catholics  the 
unbloody  sacrifice  of  the  new  law,  and  \h» 
most  solemn  and  sacred  part  of  their  worship. 
In  its  whole  ceremonial,  and  the  very  robea 
the  priest  puts  on,  when  about  to  celebrate, 
the  passion  of  Jesus  Christ  is  particularly  al- 
luded to;  and  the  dress  represented,  which 
our  Supreme  Pontiff  wore  at  the  time  he  of- 
fered himself  up  for  us  as  a  bloody  sacrifice 
on  the  cross.  The  memory  of  this  bloody 
sacrifice  is  thus  renewed :  and,  according  tc 
St  Paul,  the  death  of  our  Lord  is  thus  shown 
fot-th  till  he  come. — 1.  Cor.  xi,  26. 

Considering,  therefore,  that  this  is  the  great- 
est and  most  important  act  of  the  Catholic 
worsnip,  it  may  not  be  unacceptable  to  most 


352  THE    MASS. 

persons,  to  be  informed  of  the  meaning  which 
this  most  ancient  and  universal  of  all  Chris-> 
tian  churches  is  wont  to  attaeh  to  its  severed 
ceremonies. 

The  word  Mass  is  derived  from  the  Latin 
e:xpression  Missa,  which  signifies  sent  away,  or 
*Ulispersed.^^  For  it  was  customary  for  th« 
deacon  at  the  end  of  the  service  to  dismiss  tlie 
people  by  saying  "Go,  the  congi-egation  is  sent 
aioay.^'  A  form  which  is  still  used  at  the  end 
of  the  solemn  worship,  when  the  priest  says, 
lie,  Missa  est. 

The  image  of  Christ  crucified  stands  over 
Ae  altar,  not  for  purposes  of  adoration,  but  as 
a  memorial  of  the  death  of  Christ,  which  we 
are  told  by  St.  Paul  ever  to  remember  at  this 
solemn  rite.  "You  shall  shew  the  death  of  the 
Lord  until  he  come." — 1.  Cor.  xi,  26. 

To  denote  the  purity  of  soul  with  which  we 
should  assist  at  the  Lord's  supper,  each  one, 
on  entering  the  temple,  sprinkles  himself  with 
water  blessed  by  the  church,  and  says:  "Thou 
shalt  sprinkle  me  with  hyssop,  and  I  shall  be 
cleansed;  Thou  shalt  wash  me,  and  I  shedl  be 
whiter  than  snow." — Ps.  1. 

The  priest,  when  going  to  celebrate,  puta 
over  his  head,  and  ties  about  his  neck,  a  white 
inen  cloth,  called  the  Jlmice,  as  an  emblem 
of  the  handkerchief  with  which  our  Saviour, 
at  his  passion,  was  blindfolded  by  his  enemies, 
wlio,  spitting  upon  him,  and  smiting  him  on 
the  face,  desired  him,  in  this  state,  to  prophesy 
who  it  was  that  struck  him. 

He  next  puts  on  the  .4/6,  a  white  linen  robe, 


II 


THE    MASS.  353 

which  represents  the  white  garment,  or  fool 'a 
coat,  with  which  King  Herod  ordered  our 
Lord  to  be  clothed  in  derision,  as  a  fool.  For, 
to  this  day,  in  eastern  countries,  and  particu- 
larly among  the  Turks,  the  fool's  coat  is 
white,  emblematical  of  his  spotless  innocence. 
It  is  hence  also  intended  to  denote  the  mysti- 
cal robe  of  spotless  innocence,  and  mental 
purity,  styled  in  the  Gospel  the  ivedding  gar- 
vient,  (Matt,  xxii,  11, 12,)  with  which  the  souls 
of  those  should  be  decked,  who  present  them- 
selves as  guests  at  his  divine  supper,  or  mar- 
riage-feast ;  in  which  he  comes  to  wed  himself 
to  our  humanity;  that,  as  he  says,  he  may  be 
ill  us,  and  ice  in  him. — John  xiv,  20 — xvii,  23. 

The  Girdle,  Stole,  and  Maniple,  signify. the 
cords  with  which  he  was  bound,  like  a  male- 
factor, tied  to  the  pillar  to  be  whipped,  and 
dragged  by  his  executioners  through  the  streets 
of  Jerusalem  to  Mount  Calvary. 

The  Chasuble,  or  upper  vestment,  signifies 
the  purple  garment  with  which  the  Roman 
soldiery,  in  the  court  of  Pilate,  dressed  him,  as 
a  mock  king  •,  and  on  the  back  of  this  robe 
the  figure  of  the  cross  is  commonly  seen  re- 
presented, because  he  carried  the  cross  on  hia 
ehoulders  to  the  place  of  his  execution. 

Such  was  the  pontifical  robe  in  which  our 
High  Priest  himself,  in  person,  was  pleased  to 
offer  up  once,  the  great  atoning,  bloody  sacri- 
fice, to  his  heavenly  Father  in  our  behalf;  and 
such  in  figure,  are  still  retained  in  the  Catholic 
church,  by  those  who  are  his  representatives, 
through  whom  he  continues  still  invisibly,  in 
23 


354 


THE    MASS. 


an  unbloody  manner,  to  renew  this  same  sa 
crifice,  and  to  apply  its  merits  to  the  souls  of 
all,  and  of  each  individually,  down  to  the  end 
of  time. 

It  is  true,  these  robes  of  ignominy,  on  ac- 
count of  the  infinite  worth  and  dignity  of  hira 
who  wore  them,  are  now  changed  into  robea 
of  honor,  being  made  of  the  richest  stuffs  that 
c^n  be  aflorded,  magnificently  embroidered 
with  gold  and  silver,  and  ornamented  with 
precious  gems.  For  Christ,  tKough  he  hum- 
bled himself  in  this  life  for  our  sake,  is  now  to 
be  honored,  exalted,  and  glorified  by  all  in  alU 
The  candles  are  then  lighted  on  the  altar, 
the  meaning  of  which  ceremony  is  to  remind 
us  to  bring  the  light  of  faith  to  the  celebration 
of  the  Christian  mysteries — and  "fo  let  our 
light  shine  forth  before  men,  that  they  may  see 
your  good  works  and  glorify  your  Father  who 
13  in  heaven." — Matt.  v. 

Nothing  renders  us  so  acceptable  to  God 
as  humility,  rvho  rejects  the  proud  and  gives  his 
p'ace  to  the  humble — James  iv,  6 ;  the  Mass 
begins  with  a  most  solemn  act  of  that  virtue. 
The  priest,  or  prelate,  who  celebrates,  with- 
draws himself  in  the  first  instance  from  the 
altar ;  bows  himself  down  before  it ;  and  stri- 
king his  breast,  like  the  humble  publican  in  the 
Gospel,  loudly  acknowledges  himself  a  sinner, 
and  guilty,  through  his  own  repeated  fault,  of 
having  grievously  offended  his  God,  in  thought  j 
word,  and  deed.  At  the  same  time  he  invokes 
the  prayers  of  the  whole  court  of  heaven,  in 
whose  presence  he  avows  his  unworthines 


I 


THE    MASS. 


355 


Then,  putting  his  tnist  in  the  mercy  of  the 
-  Most  High,  saying :  Our  help  is  in  the  name  of 
the  Lord,  ivho  made  heaven  and  earth:  Ps.  cxxviii, 
8 ;  and  begging  that  his  prayer  may  be  heard, 
he  goes  up  to  the  akar,  and  kissing  it,  prays 
God  to  take  away  his  sins,  in  order  that  he 
may  approach  with  a  pure  mind  to  the  holy  of 
holies,  and  that  through  the  merits  of  th3 
saints,  whose  relics  are  there,  and  of  all  the 
saints.  Almighty  God  may  the  more  readily 
be  induced  to  forgive  him  all  his  iniquities. 
He  then  passes  to  the  right  hand  side  of  the 
£dtar  where  he  reads  the  Introit,  which  is  a 
sentence  or  two  of  holy  Scripture,  chosen 
analogous  to  the  feast  of  the  day.  He  thence 
returns  to  the  middle  of  the  altar,  where,  in  the 
immediate  presence  of  Jesus  Christ,  who  is 
regarded  ns  residing  in  the  tabernacle  under 
die  sacramental  form  of  the  consecrated  host, 
he  makes  the  solemn  and  repeated  invocation 
of  mercy,  in  the  Kyrie  eleison.  After  this  he 
recites  that  sublime  act  of  praise  to  God,  called 
the  Gloria  in  excelsis.  Then  kissing  again  the 
altar,  as  the  Almighty's  footstool  and  hia 
throne  of  mercy,  he  turns  round  to  the  people, 
and  greets  them  with  the  scriptural  salutation  : 
Dominus  vobiscum!  or,  the  Lord  be  icith  you — 
Gen.  xlviii;  2  Parab.  xv,  2,  10,  11 ;  Job  vii, 
15 ;  2  Cor.  xiii,  11.  And  he  is  answered  by 
the  people,  or  by  the  clerk  in  their  name  :  Et 
cum  spu-itu  tuo !  And  with  thy  spirit .'  He  re- 
turns again  to  the  right  side  of  the  altar,  and 
recites  the  Collects,  or  prayers  for  the  day. 
After  which  follows  the  Epistle,  which  is  al 


35f)  THE    MASS. 

"vi-ays  selected  from  the  inspired  writings  of  the 
propliets  or  apostles,  and  alluding  particulai'ly 
to  the  feast  that  is  celebrated.  The  book  is 
then  changed  from  the  right  to  the  left  hand 
side,  where  the  Gospel  for  the  day,  selected 
from  one  of  the  four  evangelists,  and  alluding 
also  to  the  occasion  of  the  solemnity,  is  read. 
Previous  to  this,  the  celebrant,  on  crossing  the 
altar,  bows  down  before  the  middle  of  it,  and 
prays  that  God  of  his  free  mercy  would  vouch- 
safe to  purify  his  heart  and  lips,  as  he  did 
those  of  his  prophet  Jsaias  with  a  burning 
coal,  in  order  that  he  may  worthily  and  ade- 
quately announce  the  Gospel  to  the  faithful. 
On  his  naming  aloud  the  Gospel,  all  present 
stand  up,  to  show  their  respect  for  the  words 
of  the  Redeemer,  and  their  readiness  to  walk 
in  that  path  of  perfection  which  he  himself 
in  person  has  deigned  to  point  out  to  us,  and 
with  the  priest  all  sign  themselves  on  the  fore- 
head, mouth  and  breast,  with  the  sign  of  the 
cjoss,  to  signify  that  their  countenance  shall 
never  blush  for  the  ignominy  of  the  cross  of 
Christ;  that  their  lips  sliall  ever  readily  con- 
fess their  belief  in  tJieir  crucified  God  ;  and 
that  they  shall  ever  cherish  in  their  hearts  that 
faith  which  he  has  taught,  and  the  remem- 
brance of  all  he  has  done  and  sufl'ered  for  them. 
We  must  here  observe  that  the  Catholic 
church  attaches  a  mystical  meaning  even  to 
the  act  of  removing  the  JMissal,  or  Mass-book, 
from  one  side  of  the  altar  to  the  other.  She 
thereby  indicates  the  loss  sustEiined  by  the 
Jews  of  the  Gospel  of  Jesus  Christ,  the  Mes- 


THE    MASS  357 

niah,  and  of  the  true  faith  and  fulfilment  of  the 
promises;  for  not  having  attended,  as  thej' 
ought  to  have  done,  to  the  true  spirit  of  the 
prophets  and  inspired  writers,  whose  preach- 
ings and  writings  were  first  directed  to  them, 
out  are  now  made  over  to  the  Gentiles. 

The  priest  then  recites  the  ^Vicene  Creed,  or 
profession  of  the  Christian  and  Catholic  belief, 
standing  before  the  middle  of  the  altar,  to  show 
that  in  matters  of  faith,  one  is  not  to  swerve 
to  either  side,  but  to  have  God  alone  in  view, 
the  centre  of  truth  and  unity,  who  has  reveal- 
ed it.  This  circumstance  indicates  also  that 
the  faith  is  offered  alike  to  Jew  and  Gentile 
At  the  words,  Et  homo  factus  est — vSnd  he 
was  made  man — all  present  kneel,  to  show  that 
they  adore  him  as  God  who  had  made  himself 
man.  After  kissing  the  altar,  he  turns  round  to 
the  people,  and  repeats  the  Dominus  vobiscum. 
Thereby  wishing  the  Lord  to  be  with  them  to 
confirm  their  faith  •,  and  the  same  wish  is  ex- 
pressed in  the  Et  cum  spiritu  txio. 

He  now  proceeds  to  the  Oflfertory,  and  dedi- 
cates to  Almighty  God  the  elements  of  the 
sacrifice,  the  bread  and  wine,  which  are  thu3 
set  aside  to  be  consecrated.  After  this,  in  of- 
fering up  the  bread,  he  prepares  the  cup  for 
oblation  in  a  manner  that  indicates  a  mystery, 
as  appears  from  the  words  of  the  prayer  he 
recites  on  the  occasion.  He  first  pours  the 
wine  into  the  chalice,  without  previously  bless- 
ing it.  Then  he  blesses  the  water  with  tha 
sign  of  the  cross,  a  mere  drop  of  which  he 
mixes  with  the  wine.     The  prayer  recited  at 


358  7HE    MASS 

the  same  time  is  as  follows  :  Deus,  qui  huma- 
nae  substantice  dignitatem  mirabiliter  condidis- 
ti,  et  miribilius  reformasti ;  da  nobis  per  hujus 
aquae  et  vini  mysterium  ejus  divinitatis  esse 
consortes,qui  humanitatis  nostras  fieri  dignatua 
est  particeps,  Jesus  Christus,  Dominus  noster 
qui  tecum  vivit  et  regnant  in  saecula  saeculorum 
0  God.  who  hast  so  wonderfully  constituted 
tlie  dignity  of  the  human  substance,  and  still 
more  wonderfully  reformed  it, grant  us  through 
tlie  mystery  of  this  water  and  wine,- to  be 
partakers  of  the  divinity  of  him  who  deigned 
to  become  a  partner  in  our  humanity,  Jesus 
Christ  thy  Son,  who  lives  and  reigns  with 
thee,  world  without  end^ 

From  this  prayer  it  would  appear  that  by 
tlie  union  of  the  water  with  the  wine  is  desig- 
nated, in  the  first  place,  the  union  of  the  humaij 
nature  with  the  divine,  in  the  person  of  Jesus 
Christ,  and  in  the  second  place,  the  union  of 
the  blessed  with  the  Deity  in  the  kingdom  of 
heaven.  On  this  account  the  drop  of  water, 
which  represents  the  humanity,  is  blessed  be- 
fore its  union  with  the  wine,  which  is  not 
blessed,  as  it  represents  by  its  more  valuable 
substance  the  Deity  ;  the  source  itself  of  all 
benediction,  and  does  not  therefore  re(|uire, 
like  the  other  substance,  to  be  pre-sanctified. 
And  as  the  drop  of  water  is  in  a  manner  lost 
and  swallowed  up  in  the  greater  and  more  es- 
timated sul)stance,  the  wine,  so  in  Jesus  Christ 
the  human  person  was  so  lost  and  absorbed  in 
the  divine  nature,  as  that  only  one  person  re- 
mained in  this  Man  God  after  the  incai-nation 


THE    MASS. 


359 


viz:  the  second  person  of  the  adorable  Trinity  J 
for  in  this  mystery  God  made  himself  like 
onto  man,  (a  being,  though  but  one  person, 
consisting  of  two  distinct  substances,  a  body 
and  a  soul,)  in  order  to  restore  him  to  his  own 
image  and  likeness,  to  which  he  was  first 
made,  but  which  sin  had  impaired.  This 
little,  and  apparently  trifling  ceremony,  in  eis 
far  as  it  represents  the  union  of  mcUikind  with 
the  Deity  in  the  kingdom  of  heaven,  shows 
how  little  all  creatures  are  when  compared 
with  the  Creator,  and  that,  as  the  prophet 
says,  All  the  nations  are  but  like  the  drop  of  a 
bucket  before  him — Isaias  xi,  15.  In  Masses 
for  the  dead,  the  drop  of  water  is  not,  as  in 
other  Masses,  pre-sanctified  with  the  sign  of 
the  cross,  representing  as  it  does,  that  portion 
of  human  kind  whose  sanctification  is  con- 
firmed, and  such  as  secures  for  ever  their  final 
union  with  the  Deity. 

The  prayers  recited  during  the  Offertory  by 
the  priest,  as  he  bows  down  before  the  altar, 
are  all  expressive  of  the  general  ends  for 
which  the  sacrifice  is  offered  up,  that  is,  for 
the  glory  of  God,  to  the  honor  of  his  saints, 
and  as  a  propitiation  for  his  own  sins  in  par- 
ticular, for  those  of  the  faithful  present,  and 
for  the  sins  of  all  mankind  in  general,  as  also 
for  the  repose  of  the  faithful  departed.  Then, 
turning  round,  he  bids  "  the  brethren  pray  that 
their  common  sacrifice  may  be  acceptable  to 
God  the  Father  Almighty;"  and  these  answer, 
or  the  clerk  in  their  stead:  "  May  the  Lord 
receive   the  sacrifice  from  thy  haiids  to  the 


360  THE    MASS. 

praise  and  glcry  of  his  own  name,  for  our 
good,  and  that  of  his  whole  holy  church." 

After  tlie  Secreta,  which  are  prayers  corres- 
ponding in  number  and  meaning  with  the 
Collects,  and  which  the  priest  recites  in  a  low 
voice,  he  calls  aloud  to  the  hearers  to  raise  up 
tlaeir  hearts  and  give  thanks  to  God.  They 
answer  him  that  they  have  done  so,  and  that 
to  thank  him  is  meet  and  just.  Then  he  be- 
gins what  is  called  the  preface,  or  introduction 
to  the  Canon  of  the  Mass,  with  these  words: 
"It  is  truly  meet  and  just,  right  and  salutary, 
that  we  always  and  in  all  places  give  thanks 
to  thee,  0  Lord!  holy  Father,  Almighty  and 
eternal  God  !  &c.;"  then  some  particular  rea- 
son, or  mystery,  is  assigned,  for  which  \ve 
ought  to  praise  him  on  the  occasion,  after 
which  he  concludes  in  the  following  strain  : 
"Therefore,  together  with  the  angels  and  arch- 
angels, with  the  thrones  and  dominations,  and 
with  the  whole  host  of  heaven,  do  we  sing 
unto  thee  without  end,  Holy!  holy!  holy! 
Lord  God  of  Sabaoth!  The  heavens  and 
the  earth  are  filled  with  thy  glory,  Hosannah 
in  the  highest!  Blessed  is  he  that  cometh  in 
the  name  of  the  Lord.  Hosannah  in  the 
highest." 

Next  follows  the  Canon,  the  most  sacred 
and  invariable  part  of  the  Mass,  in  which  the 

Eriest  addresses  himself  in  secret  to  God  alone ; 
ut  which  may  be  seen,  with  all  the  rest, 
translated  verbatim  in  most  Catholic  prayer- 
books.  The  benediction  is  renewed  over  the 
elements,  and  the  particular  ends  in  behalf  of 


THE    MASS.  361 

the  living,  for  which  the  Mass  is  offered  up, 
are  commemorated  in  the  Memento  The 
priest,  now  to  consecrate,  spreads  his  hands 
over  the  bread  and  wine,  and  beseeches  God 
to  receive  our  oblation,  and  grant  us  peace  in 
our  days;  to  save  us  from  perdition,  and 
eause  us  to  be  reckoned  among  the  chosen. 
Then,  as  our  Lord  did  at  the  last  supper,  and 
commanded  his  apostles  to  do  also,  he  takes 
first  the  bread,  and  blessing  it,  begs  that  God 
would  now  convert  the  oblation  into  the  body 
ajid  blood  of  his  beloved  Son.  He  repeats 
tlien  over  it  the  words  of  Christ:  Hoc  est 
enim  corpus  meum.  This  is  my  body ;  immedi- ■ 
ately  adores,  and  rising,  elevates  the  consecra- 
ted host.  In  like  manner  he  takes  the  cup, 
and  blessing  it,  pronounces  over  it  these  words 
of  our  Lord:  "  Hic  est  enim  calix  san'guinis 

MEI,  NOVI  ET  iETERNI  TESTAMEXTI,  MTSTERIUM 
FIDEI  ;  QUI  PRO  VOBIS  ET  PRO  MULTIS  EFFUN- 
DETUR    IN    REMISSIONEM     PECCATORUM."       FoT 

this  is  the  chalice  of  my  blood,  of  the  J^^ein  and  eter- 
nal Testament:  the  mystery  of  faith,  which  shall 
he  shed  for  you,  and  for  many  to  the  remission  of 
dns. — Matt,  xxvi,  26,  27,  28.  After  which 
he  adores  also,  and  elevates  the  now  consecrek- 
ted  species  of  wine,  no  way  doubting  but  that 
the  same  omnipotent  Word  that  called  up  all 
things  out  of  nothing,  is  fully  able  to  perform 
whatever  he  has  promised  to  do. 

Here  now,  in  the  opinion  of  Catholics,  is 
rendered  present  the  UTimaculate  victim,  so 
foretold  by  the  prophets,  and  particularly  by 
Mala^iiy  in  these  words  :    '*  From  the  risir 


S62  THE    MASS. 

of  the  sun  to  the  going  down  thereof,"  (that 
is,  from  one  extremity  of  the  eat  ih  to  the  other) 
"great  is  my  name  among  the  Gentiles  :  ana 
in  every  place  there  is  sacrifice,  and  there  ia 
ofTered  up  to  my  name  a  pure  oblation,  for  my 
name  is  great  among  the  Gentiles :  saith  the 
Lord  of  iSosts,  &c. — Mai.  i,  11. 

The  elevation  denotes  the  raising  up  of  our 
Saviour  on  the  cross.  It  thus  also  exhibits  tD 
the  faithful  the  object  of  their  faith,  hope  and 
love,  who  is  no  longer  exposed,  as  on  Mount 
Calvary,  to  the  derision  and  blasphemy  of  the 
public,  but  to  the  adoration,  praise,  and  in- 
vocation of  the  grateful  creatures  whom  he 
h£is  redeemed. 

The  apparently  lifeless  state  in  which  thb 
divine  Victim  lies  on  the  altar,  with  his  blood 
seemingly  separated  from  his  body,  under  the 
distinct  species  of  the  bread  and  wine,  repre- 
sents his  state  of  death  upon  the  cross,  after 
having  poured  out  the  last  drop  of  his  sacred 
blood  for  our  ransom. 

The  priest  then  beseeches  Almighty  God  to 
look  down  with  a  propitious  countenance  on 
this  our  sacrifice,  as  he  did  on  that  of  the  just 
Abel,  of  Abraham,  and  of  his  high  priest  Mel- 
cliisedech.  Then,  bowing  down,  and  kissing 
the  altar,  he  prays  that  he,  and  all  who  parti- 
cipate with  him  in  the  body  and  blood  of  Jesus 
Christ,  may  be  replenished  with  all  heavenly 
g;race  and  benediction. 

Next  follows  the  Memento  for  the  dead,  in 
which  are  recommended  to  the  special  mercy 
of  God  the  souls  of  those  for  whom  the  pr'eat 


I 


THE    MASS  363 

intends  more  particularly  to   intercede,  and 
next  the  souls  of  all  the  faithful  departed. 

In  the  J^^obis  qiioque  peccatoribus  he  returns 
to  his  supplications  in  his  own  behalf,  and  that 
of  all  sinners  ;  beseeching  Almighty  God,  in 
the  multitude  of  his  mercies,  to  vouchsafe  to 
grant  us  a  portion  and  association  with  hia 
saints,  not  from  any  consideration  of  our  merit, 
but  from  that  of  his  own  mercy  and  readiness 
to  forgive,  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord,  &c 
Then,  uncovering  the  chalice,  and  kneeling, 
he  takes  ihe  host,  and  makes  with  it  three 
crosses  over  the  cup,  and  two  towards  himself 
and  the  people,  saying  :  By  ichom  (viz.  Jesus 
Christ)  thou  createst,  sanctifiest,  vivifiestj 
blessest,  and  givest  to  all  of  us  these  good 
tilings,  through  him,  with  him,  and  in  him 
to  rhee,  0  God  the  Father,  together  with  the 
Holy  Spirit,  (here  he  puts  the  host  over  tlie 
chalice,  and  elevating  them  both  together,  con- 
tinues) is  all  honor  and  glory.  Then,  laying 
down  tlie  host  on  the  altar,  he  kneels,  and 
rising,  covers  the  chalice,  concluding  the  cere- 
mony with  these  words  :  Per  omnia  snscula 
saeculorum.  Amen!  World luithout  end.  ^Smen, 
Here  Almighty  God  is  acknowledged  as  th-e 
creator,  sanctifier,  and  vivifier  of  the  elements 
now  (hanged  into  the  heavenly  bread  of  life, 
who  lias  given  us,  together  with  all  other  good 
things,  this  most  precious  of  all  his  gifts,  to 
whom  therefore  all  glory  and  honor  is  render- 
ed as  his  due. 

By  the  descent  of  the  host  upon  the  chalice 
and  the  three  crosses  made  over  it,  a  mystica 


364 


THE    MASS. 


allusion  is  made  to  the  descent  of  the  second 
person  of  the  blessed  Trinity  upon  our  earth 
m  Judea,  in  form  of  man,  and  his  preaching 
there,  first  to  the  Jews,  the  mystery  of  the 
Trinity  and  the  cross,  from  whence  this  faith 
proceeded  forth  towards  us,  the  Gentiles.  Vet 
only  two  crosses  are  made  on  our  side,  to  in- 
timate that  the  great  end  of  revelation  ?»  not 
completed  till  both  Jews  and  Gentiles  ai-e 
finally  \inited  in  the  same  church  :  which,  ac- 
cording to  the  prophecies,  must  happen  before 
the  end  of  the  world,  and  ere  the  church  has 
rendered  to  God  all  that  honor  and  glory,  and 
paid  to  him  the  full  measure  of  that  homa^^e 
which  he  expects  from  her  before  the  final 
consummation  of  this  universe.  Therefore  is 
the  host  returned  back  to  the  chalice,  and  both 
are  elevated  together,  with  these  words :  Qm- 
nis  honor  et  gloria — ^U  honor  aiid  glory 
When,  after  kneeling,  as  was  said,  he  risea 
and  covers  the  chalice  with  the  words.  Pier 
omnia,  &p.,  signify mg  that  all  true  believers, 
Jews  and  Gentiles,  shall  in  the  end  be  united 
and  raised  up  with  Christ,  and  shall  reign 
with  him  for  ever  and  ever. 

The  Lord's  prayer  is  now  solemnly  recited. 
After  which,  having  prayed  that  God  would 
deliver  us  from  all  evils  past,  present,  and  to 
come,  and,  through  the  intercession  of  his 
saints,  would  propitiously  grant  us  peace  in 
our  days,  that,  aided  by  his  mercy,  we  may 
be  ever  preserved  from  sin,  and  secured  against 
all  trouble,  the  priest  takes  up  the  host,  and, 
breaking;  it,  to  show  that  our  Saviour's  body 


THE    MASS. 


365 


was  bruised  and  broken  for  us,  puts  a  small 
portion  of  it  into  the  chalice,  with  these  words; 
J\Iay  this  mixing  and  consecration  redound  to  the 
life  everlasting  of  us  who  receive  it!  Meaning, 
that  now  is  mixed  and  consecrated,  spread  out 
and  prepared  for  us,  our  celestial  banquet,  to 
the  worthy  participation  of  which  eternal  life 
IS  annexed  ;  and  to  the  participation  in  which 
the  little  ones,  and  the  unicise,  or  those  who 
are  simple  enough  to  believe  it  what  wisdOm 
has  declared  it  to  be,  are  invited — Prov.  ix, 
John  vi,  44.  It  is  to  this  banquet  that  the 
royal  prophet  alludes,  as  follows:  "Thou  hast 
prepared  before  me  a  table  against  those  who 
afflict  me." — Ps.  xxii,  5. 

Next  is  repeated  the  Agnus  Dei,  or  Lamb 
of  God  icho  takest  away  the  sins  of  the  xcorld, 
have  mercy  upon  us,  SjC.  Grant  us  peace  !  (In 
Masses  for  the  dead,  grant  them  rest !)  After 
which,  the  celebrant  prays  in  secret  that  God 
would  not  have  in  view  his  sins,  but  only  the 
faith  of  his  church;  and,  that  He  who  said, 
My  peace  J  leave  you,  and  my  peace  I  give  you, 
would,  as  he  sees  best,  grant  her  peace  and 
unity;  and  that,  having  in  concurrence  with 
the  will  of  the  Father,  and  the  co-operation 
of  the  Holy  Ghost,  by  his  death  given  life  to 
the  world,  he  would  also  deliver  him  (the 
celebrant),  by  means  of  this  holy  sacrament  of 
his  body  and  blood,  from  sin  and  all  evil,  and 
make  him  so  to  abide  by  the  divine  command- 
ments, as  never  more  to  be  separated  from  his 
God.  Kneeling  then,  he  rises  and  takes  the 
host  into  his  hands,  with  these  words :  /  will 


366  THE    MASS. 

receive  the  bread  of  heaven,  and  invoice  the  namt 
of  the  Lord.  Then,  striking  his  breast,  thrice, 
he  repeats  (adapting  them  to  his  own  case^ 
the  words  of  the  humble  centurion  mentionea 
in  the  Gospel :  Domine,  non  sum  dignus  ut  in- 
tres  sub  tectum  meum  ;  sed  tantum  die  verbo, 
et  sanabtur  anima  mea.  "Lord,  I  am  not 
worthy  that  thou  shouldst  enter  under  my 
roof:  but  say  only  the  word,  and  my  soul 
shall  be  healed."  He  signs  himself  then  with 
the  host,  and  receives  it,  saying  :  "  May  the 
body  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  preserve  my 
soul  unto  life  everlasting!"  Uncovering  the 
cli&lice,  he  then  takes  it  up,  saying:  "What 
shall  I  render  to  the  Lord  for  all  that  he  haa 
given  to  me?  I  will  take  the  chalice  of  salva- 
tion, and  call  upon  the  name  of  the  Lord,  and 
I  shall  be  saved  from  all  mine  enemies." — Ps, 
cxv,  3.  Then,  signing  himself  in  like  manner 
with  the  cup,  he  takes  it,  praying  also,  "that 
the  blood  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  may  pre- 
serve his  soul  unto  life  everlasting."  After 
which,  he  purifies,  or  washes  out  the  chalice, 
repeating  other  prayers  to  the  like  purpose. 
The  ablution  water  and  wnne  at  the  end  of  the 
sacrifice  reminds  us  of  the  water  mixed  with 
blood  which  flowed  from  the  Saviour's  wound- 
ed side,  at  the  conclusion  of  his  bloody  sacri- 
fice on  the  cross. 

The  priest  now  passes  to  the  right  hand 
side  of  the  altar,  to  which  agtiin  the  book  is 
restored,  and  here  read^?  the  communion  sen- 
tence, commonly  some  text  of  the  Scri[)ture  { 
mi  then  returning  to  the  middle  of  the  altaij 


THE    MASS.  367 

he  bowing,  kisses  it,  and  turning  round  to- 
wards the  people,  wishes  now  the  Lord  to  he 
with  them,  to  make  them  benefit  by  the  holy 
sacrifice  at  which  they  have  just  assisted. 

The  restoration  of  the  book  to  its  former 
place  indicates  the  restoration  of  the  faith  and 
the  Gospel  to  the  Jews  before  the  end  of  the 
world.  He  returns  to  the  book  and  reads  from 
it  the  post  communion  prayer  ;  after  which  ha 
repeats,  from  the  middle  of  the  altar,  the  lie, 
missa  est,  which  is  the-  formal  annunciation 
that  the  Mass  is  now  concluded,  and  from 
which  the  service  took  its  name  of  Mass. 
Again  bowing  before  the  altar,  the  priest 
of  the  holy  Trinity  to  receive  our  oblation, 
tliat  it  may  prove  advantageous  to  all  present, 
and  to  the  whole  of  mankind.  Then  raising 
up  his  hand  to  heaven,  and  turning  round  to 
the  hearers,  he  makes  the  sign  of  the  cross  to- 
wards them,  pronouncing  over  them  the  words 
of  the  benediction  :  Benedicat  vos  omnipotens 
Deus,  Pater,  Filius,  et  Spiritus  Sanctus ! — May 
the  Jllmlghty  God  bless  you,  the  Father,  the  Soru, 
and  the  Holy  Ghost !  The  whole  service  is 
concluded  with  the  Gospel,  commonly  taken 
from  the  first  chapter  of  St.  John,  in  which 
the  divinity  and  incarnation  of  Jesus  Chiist 
are  so  sublimely  and  clearly  announced.  A 
small  bell  is  rung  several  times  to  admonish 
the  people  of  the  more  solemn  parts  of  the 
service. 

It  were  endless  to  give  all  the  other  mystical 
meanings  and  particular  allusions  to  the  pas- 


368 


THE    MASS. 


sion  of  our  Lord  which  Catholics  attach  to 
the  ceremonies  of  the  Mass.  But  this  plain 
and  simple  exposure  of  it  may  suffice  to  show 
how  free  it  is  from  any  thing  savoring  of  idola- 
try or  superstition,  and  how  very  replete,  on 
the  contrary,  it  is  with  the  most  fervent  and 
humble  supplication,  and  with  the  most  sub- 
lime acts  of  praise  and  homage  to  tlie  Deity 

But  why,  one  will  ask,  is  it  constantly  said 
in  Latin,  and  not  in  the  vulgar  idiom  of  each 
country,  which  is  best  understood  by  the 
generality  of  the  hearers?  The  reasons  as- 
signed for  this  custom  are  the  following: 

First.  Because  it  is  an  act  of  prayer  and 
adoration  directed  to  God  alone,  not  a  dis- 
course, or  exhortation  made  to  the  understand- 
ing of  the  hearers,  who  are  otherwise  taught 
from  their  earliest  infancy  how  to  assist  de- 
voutly at  Mass,  and  to  join  in  the  common 
intention  for  which  it  is  offered  up.  The  Jews 
often  did  not  so  much  as  see  the  priest  while 
he  offered  up  sacrifice  for  them,  much  less  did 
they  hear  and  understand  the  prayers  he  said 
at  the  time,  as  appears  by  what  is  related  in 
the  Gospel,  of  Zacharias  the  father  of  St.  John 
tlie  Baptist. — Luke  i,  2L 

Second.  Because  Catholics  do  not  consider 
their  church  as  a  national,  but  as  a  Catholic,  or 
universal  one.  They,  therefore,  use  in  this, 
the  greatest  act  of  their  worship,  as  well  as  in 
tlie  administration  of  the  sacraments,  a  Catho' 
lie,  or  universal  language,  which,  withal,  ia 
most  generally  understood,  and  is,  like  what 


THE    MASS  aXi^ 

they  consider  their  church  to  be,  one  and  un- 
changeable. 

Third.  Because  it  is  one  of  the  three  lan- 
guages consecrated  on  the  tree  of  the  cross  in 
Bie  inscription  hung  over  the  head  of  our  Sa- 
viour, which,  as  the  evangelist  thinks  it  worth 
while  to  remark,  was  written  in  Greek,  in  He" 
brew,  and  in  Latin,  part  of  all  which  are  ad- 
mitted into  the  Mass.  These  also  having 
become  dead  languages,  are  thereby  no  more 
liable  to  change,  and  seem  best  calculated  to 
preserve  in  all  its  original  and  primitive  mean- 
ing the  sacred  Liturgy  of  the  Christian  church. 

The  bread  used  in  this  sacrifice  is  not  com- 
mon and  leavened,  but  unleavened  bread,  such 
as  our  Saviour  must  have  used  at  his  last  sup- 
per. For  it  was  death,  by  the  law  of  Moses, 
for  any  one  to  eat,  or  even  to  keep  in  his 
house  leavened  bread  at  the  paschal  time.  Of 
such  a  breach  of  the  Mosaic  law  our  Lord 
was  never  once  accused  by  his  enemies,  who 
sought  every  opportunity  of  bringing  him  in 
guilty  of  some  capital  crime. 

The  shape  itself  of  this  bread  is  determined 
and  the  form  is  not  undesignedly  given  it 
For  the  circle  was  considered  by  most  nations 
as  the  emblem  of  perfection  and  perpetuity, 
the  most  peculiar  attributes  of  the  Deity. 

This  bread  is  also  considered  as  an  emblem 
of  the  mystical  body  of  Christ,  the  church, 
1  Cor.  V.  For,  as  the  bread  is  one  whole, 
composed  of  many  particles  cohering  together 
and  amalgamated  by  means  of  water,  and  cott" 

24 


370  THE    MASS. 

firmed  by  fire,  so  the  church  is  but  one  whole, 
composed  of  many  members  adhering  togeth- 
er, and  united  with  their  supreme  head  Jesus 
Christ,  by  means  of  the  water  of  baptism  and 
the  fire  of  charity,  as  also  by  their  participa- 
tions in  his  other  sacraments,  but  above  all  in 
this  sacrament  of  the  altar,  which  unites  ua 
so  closely  to  our  Lord,  that,  as  he  himself  ex- 
presses it,  loe  may  be  in  him,  and  he  in  us:  John 
xiv,  20.  It  is  also  worth  remarking,  with 
what  pi-opriety,  in  so  solemn  and  sacred  a 
service,  every  gesture  and  motion  is  regulated, 
so  as  to  leave  as  little  as  possible  to  personal 
awkv/ardness  or  affectation. 

I  should  think  it  not  easy  to  find  in  so  short 
a  service  as  this,  which  lasts  no  more  than 
half  an  hour,  such  variety  of  most  appropriate 
prayer,  put  up  for  ourselves  and  all  mankind; 
such  sublime  and  fervent  acts  of  humility  and 
repentance,  of  faith,  hope,  and  love  of  God 
and  man,  of  supreme  homage  and  adoration 
to  the  Deity ;  in  fine,  such  deep  sacred  mean- 
ing, such  full,  just,  and  edifymg  allusion  tci 
the  great  mystery  of  the  redemption,  the  in- 
finite merits  of  our  Saviour,  and  their  applica- 
tion to  our  souls.  Yet  this  part  of  the  Catholic 
worship,  which  is  so  pregnant  with  all  that  ia 
and  must  be  accounted  most  holy  and  divine, 
by  every  one  professing  himself  a  Christian, 
is  often,  nevertheless,  fi'om  a  profound  igno- 
rance of  the  intention  of  the  worshippers, 
Btyled,  in  derision,  mere  mximmery — although 
the  chun',h  of  England  herself,  in  her  liturgy, 


IBE    MASS 


371 


has  thought  proper  to  copy  after  it.  If  such 
ceremonies,  however,  are  but  nmrnmery,  what 
are  we  to  think  of  those  used  even  by  Jesua 
Christ  himself;  for  instance,  when  he  gave 
sight  to  the  man  who  was  born  bhnd,  and  re- 
Btored  speech  and  hearing  to  him  who  was 
deaf  and  dumb? — ^John  ix,  6;  Mark  vii,  33. 


CONTENTS. 

Private  Baptism ...3 

Grace  before  and  after  rneals 3 

Table  of  Movable  Feasts 3 

Feasts,  Fasts,  &c 4 

The  Ten  Commandments 4 

Commandments  of  the  Church .5 

An  Explanation  of  the  Ornaments  and  Ceremonies 

used  in  the  holy  Sacrifice  of  the  Mass .....5 

An  Explanation  of  the  Sacerdotal  Vestments 6 

An  Explanation  of  tlie  Colors  used  by  the  Church 

at  divine  service 7 

Of  the  sign  of  the  Cross 8 

Holy  or  blessed  Water 8 

Indulgences  explained 9 

Plenary  Indulgences 10 

A  Profession  of  Catholic  Faith 12 

A  Declaration  of  Faith,  (Creed  of  St.  Athanasiu3)..16 

Morning  Exercise ..20 

Litany  of  the  holy  name  of  Jesus 28 

Prayers  for  the  Church,  Ruling  Powers,  &c 30 

Instructions  and  Devotions  for  hearing  Mass 33 

Devotions  for  Mass 39 

Method  of  hearing  Mass  spiritually  for  the  absent.. 76 

Instructions  and  Devotions  for  Confession 78 

An  Examination  of  the  Ten  Commandments,  the 

Seven  Deadly  Sins,  &c 83 

Prayers  before  Confession .89 

RIethod  of  Confession 97 

Prayer  after  Confession 98 

Instructions  and  Devotions  for  Communion 100 

Devotions  after  Communion 117 

The  Seven  Penitential  Psalms 128 

The  Litany  of  the  Saints 140 

The  Rosary  of  the  Blessed  Virgin 149 

Prayers  for  Night 162 

Litany  of  the  Blessed  Virgin 168 

Devotions  for  every  day  in  the  Week 174 

A  Prayer  in  Child-bearing 190 

Instructions  and  Devotions  for  the  Sick 192 

Fifteen  Meditations  on  the  Passion  of  our  Saviour 

Jesus  Christ  ...  212 


CONTENTS. 

Instrnctions  and  Devotions  for  Confirmation  220 

Prayer  for  the  Church a"(7 

Belief  in  the  Holy  Catholic  Church 239 

A  Prayer  to  know  the  true  ReUgion *24i 

Plenary  Indulgence 245 

Manner  of  serving  Mass 247 

Vespers 254 

Benediction  of  the  Blessed  Sacrament 280 

HYMNS. 

for  Advent 289 

For  Christmas 290 

For  Lent 292 

Jerusalem 293 

Christmas  Vesper  Hymn 293 

For  Passion  and  Palm  Sunday 294 

For  Easter  time 297 

For  Ascension  Day 300 

For  Pentecost 301 

For  Trinity  «unday  304 

For  Corpus  Christi 306 

For  Assumption 308 

For  St.  Michael's  Day 309 

For  All  Saints 310 

For  Christmas 312 

Adoration  of  Jesus  in  B.  Sacrament 312 

Aspiration  before  Communion 313 

Bona   Mors 314 

Devotions  to  the  Scapular 330 

Prayers  of  St.  Bridget 336 

PRAYERS  FOR  DIFFERENT  OCCASIONS. 

Prayer  to  be  said  by  those  who  carry  about  them 

an  Agnus  Dei 'W6 

Prayer  of  St.  Bernard  to  the  Blessed  Virgin 349 

For  one's  Confessor "^7 

for  the  souls  in  Purgatory 347 

For  the  conversion  of  sinners,  &c 348 

To  know  our  vocation 348 

To  our  Angel  Guardian 3.50 

To  our  Patron  Saint 3.50 

iuiaiioii  of  tlie  Mass 351 


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